There is a place where Jesus preached the “Sermon On The Mount” on the northwest corner of the Sea of Galilee. The gentle-sloping hill would allow many people to hear His message. In that area, we are told, natural acoustics could amplify the voice of one speaking without using a microphone. Microphones and speaker systems were not quite available just yet!
I remember this location when we visited Israel, being pointed out as we were on the Sea of Galilee sailing along on the “Jesus Boat.” It’s such a beautiful visual of Jesus preaching to the multitudes along the shores of Galilee. Simply such a beautiful place.
The time that Jesus delivered this message, “Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed Him.” Matthew 4: 25 As we can see, He already had a large following. The numbers on social media would have been massive, with lots of “hearts” and “thumbs up.”
His recognition and popularity came from obedience of carrying out what He was called to do.
Take note, people of God:
If it’s a God thing, our ministries will grow, especially if all we do is always done for an “audience of One.”
That’s what I love about the Holy Spirit. We can be in a large setting, like church, and when the message is given, there could be one specific thing that ministers to one person personally, then another thing ministering to another person, all at the same time. He truly is a personal and relational God.
Let’s dive into the first few verses in our Matthew Chapter 5 study on The Beatitudes.
“Now when He saw the crowds, He went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to Him, and He began to teach them saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5: 1-3
We discovered yesterday that rabbis usually sat down to teach their disciples. So, it was not unusual for Jesus to sit while teaching. Pictures online have him seated on top of a big rock as His students are around Him and before Him. I like the informal approach and delivery. He’s eyeballed to eyeball with them.
The word blessed used here refers to the ultimate well-being and spiritual joy of those who share in the salvation of the Kingdom of God. This joy is distinct, reserved, and identified in Spirit-filled believers of Yeshua (Jesus).
In the back of the Bible, the book of Revelation defines “blessed” as those who read the words, who hear the words and take to heart what is written.
Following the Lord in this way will bring forth a blessing.
As we proceed, I know you’re all asking what “poor in spirit” means. Let’s define what it is NOT first. It is not the spiritually proud and self-sufficient ones.
One commentary defined “poor in spirit” this way: “To be poor in spirit is to recognize your utter spiritual bankruptcy before God. It is understanding that we have absolutely nothing of worth to offer God. Being poor in spirit is admitting that, because of our sin, we are completely destitute spiritually and can do nothing to deliver ourselves from our dire situation.”
So, when we recognize our need for God, what do we gain? The answer is in the rest of the verse: “For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.”
The Kingdom is not something earned. It is a gift.
No matter our status in life, we must recognize our spiritual poverty before we can come to God in faith to receive the salvation He offers.
Isn’t salvation the foundation of our Christian walk? Yes, it is!
Jesus is declaring that before we can enter God’s kingdom, we must recognize the utter worthlessness of our own spiritual currency and the inability of our own works to save us.
If we don’t recognize and confess our own spiritual poverty without Him, we will never be able to hunger and thirst for Him.
Once we admit this poverty without Him, we can then step into the riches of what He has promised for all followers. That richness is: “Blessed and worthy of praise be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ.” Ephesians 1: 3
We are blessed as beneficiaries of every spiritual blessing that belongs to and comes from the heavenly realm.
In closing, all of this is available and given to us when we are “poor in spirit.” Amazing God we serve!
Being spiritually poor and recognizing we need Him positions us to receive all He has as our inheritance from Him and the heavenly realm.
Brothers and sisters, In Christ, if that doesn’t excite us, we are in trouble! It was through His poverty; that we became abundantly rich.
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on My Beloved’s Voice
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