A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW

BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT  

Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” 

When you think of the word poor, what first comes to your mind. I suspect you would think of the economic condition of someone. They would lack money, adequate shelter, a job sufficient to support themselves and their family. There is much emphasis in the political realm on trying to “lift people out of poverty,” that is, their economic plight and all that goes with it. 

There are actually many kinds of poverty. The “poor in spirit” referred to by Jesus in today’s devotional verse are not those living in economic poverty. He is concerned with those who are living in spiritual poverty. Included in this group are those who live in economic poverty as well. It is no blessing to live in economic poverty nor more than it is to live in spiritual poverty.   

To be poor in spirit, to live in spiritual poverty, is equivalent to “being spiritually destitute, without resource, without what one needs in the spiritual realm.” (Dr. Jeff Gibbs, Commentary on Matthew.) They are described in the Holy Scriptures as being “like sheep without a Shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36)   

How is a person lifted out of spiritual poverty? They cannot lift themselves out. God sent His Son Jesus to do this for them. Jesus said of Himself, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. . . I know my sheep and my sheep know Me—just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father—and I lay down My life for the sheep. . . I am the gate; whoever enters through Me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.” (John 10:11, 14, 9) By God’s grace through faith in Jesus you will “lack for nothing.” (Psalm 23:1) 

Prayer: Thank You Jesus for coming to this earth to rescue me and all living in spiritual poverty. Amen. 

The Lord’s my shepherd, I’ll not want; He makes me down to lie  In pastures green; He leadeth me The quiet waters by. 

My soul He doth restore again And me to walk doeth make  Within the paths of righteousness, E’en for His own name’s sake. 

Yea, though I walk in death’s dark vale, Yet will I fear no ill;  For Thou art with me, and Thy rod And staff me comfort still. 

My table Thou hast furnished In presence of my foes;  My head Thou dost with oil anoint, And my cup overflows. 

Goodness and mercy all my life Shall surely follow me;  And in God’s house forevermore My dwelling place shall be.  (LSB 710)