“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Poor Beggars
In the section of the Sermon of the Mount,
which may have been a composite of the general
message which Jesus was beginning to introduce in the early years of his
ministry in Galilee.
These Scriptures show the posture of the
heart, and the corresponding blessings that come upon believers, known as
the Beatitudes – We find here, that, Jesus calls these
dispositions Blessed. I want to look at just one of these Beatitudes for the
moment.
In Matthew: 5:3-, we
read the following “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
It is useful for us to note that the author,
of this account of the life and ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ, was St.
Matthew, who, in his pre-ministry day had been a tax collector for the Roman
provisional government that administered the land of Palestine.
St. Matthew was writing to a very Jewish
audience who would have been steeped in certain cultural biases, one such
biases was that if you were poor there was little or no esteem shown toward
you.
The Greek word that the Holy Spirit inspires St.
Matthew to uses here is “ptokhos” for “poor”, this word, like many Greek words, carries with it
not only a meaning but implications and connotations.
This word "ptokhos" literally means a “poor humble Beggar”.
This word "ptokhos”, as well
has having a verb component- meaning to seek support – to be in a state of “dependency” – and relying on that support, otherwise
the "beggar” would be helpless and could not survive
without it. In other words, the “poor humble beggars”
are "dependent" on others for help, and they know it.
The Beggar Needs Help
These
“poor humble beggars” knew their state and humbly ask
for support and are fully dependent on that support, else they would not ask
for it. They know their spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Illustrates the Point
To Jesus’ immediate audience the image of a “poor humble beggar” would have quickly understood. Beggars
were a common sight sitting with a bowl in their hand, out stretched, extended,
asking for whatever help they might receive from those who pass by.
The “poor humble beggars”
knew where to place themselves to find the most help, often at the city gates,
market places or the routs to the Temple at Jerusalem.
This image of a beggar would have proven to be
a paradox and a contradiction for many who heard Jesus use it as a description
of those he called "Blessed", that
some of the lowest in social standing would be called blessed by Jesus. This
was a condition of “dependency” many of them despised,
and we, would like very much to avoid if possible.
Yet, we hear Jesus pronounce that these “poor humble beggars”, are blessed, and it is this exact
state of “dependency” that these “poor
humble beggars” have, this is why they are blessed.
What is the blessing that these ones “poor
in spirit” have? Jesus is not just telling them, that it is just because of
the low social status which they occupied that he will confers this blessed
state upon them here and now and on into eternity. Again, the “poor humble beggar” knows they need help and the grace
of others.
Disciples should be Beggars
How would have Jesus’ disciples have of
understood this complete “poor in spirit” and have “dependency”?
The word “spirit” in Jesus’ pronouncement helps to point us to
His meaning. It becomes clear that Jesus is not just speaking of one’s lack of
economical means which is the cause of being blessed, rather, Jesus speaks of
the true need that all of us are in need of.
Spiritually we are all in need, we are all in
a state of want, acknowledged or not, we are all dependent, just some of us
have come to see ourselves as we truly are, that we need our Lord Jesus Christ.
“dependency”. Without
the grace of those around them they would go without and could not survive. The
“poor humble beggar” knows he need help.
Illustrates the Point
To Jesus’ immediate audience the image of a “poor humble beggar” would have quickly understood. Beggars
were a common sight sitting with a bowl in their hand, out stretched, extended,
asking for whatever help they might receive from those who pass by.
The “poor humble beggars”
knew where to place themselves to find the most help, often at the city gates,
market places or the routs to the Temple at Jerusalem.
This image of a beggar would have proven to be
a paradox and a contradiction for many who heard Jesus use it as a description
of those he called "Blessed", that
some of the lowest in social standing would be called blessed by Jesus. This
was a condition of “dependency” many of them despised,
and we, would like very much to avoid if possible.
Yet, we hear Jesus pronounce that these “poor humble beggars”, are blessed, and it is this exact
state of “dependency” that these “poor
humble beggars” have, this is why they are blessed.
What is the blessing that these ones “poor
in spirit” have? Jesus is not just telling them, that it is just because of
the low social status which they occupied that he will confers this blessed
state upon them here and now and on into eternity. Again, the “poor humble beggar” knows they need help and the grace
of others.
Disciples should be Beggars
How would have Jesus’ disciples have of
understood this complete “poor in spirit” and have “dependency”?
The word “spirit” in Jesus’ pronouncement helps to point us to
His meaning. It becomes clear that Jesus is not just speaking of one’s lack of
economical means which is the cause of being blessed, rather, Jesus speaks of
the true need that all of us are in need of.
Spiritually we are all in need, we are all in
a state of want, acknowledged or not, we are all dependent, just some of us
have come to see ourselves as we truly are, that we need our Lord Jesus Christ.
This “dependency” that
Jesus is illustrating for us, is actually a blessing for us to have it.
This "dependency” is a quality of those who follow
Jesus, that is, we have come to see our "dependency" on
Him. The "poor on spirit” are humbly are aware of their
need for Jesus' gracious support in the Spiritual life, and in every need of this
life.
Jesus Models this Need
Even in his humanity Jesus acknowledged his
dependency on the Father for everything in the fulfillment of His life “I can do nothing of My own self” John:5 30
During Jesus’ earthly ministry he cried out to
God the Father in times of need, knowing his "dependency" on
the Great God. Jesus was totally "dependent" on
the Father.
"During the days of Jesus’ life
on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to
the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent
submission". Hebrews: 5:7
It is when we see as ourselves, we are, broken
and in need, without the spiritual resources to live the spiritual life as we
ought to, then and only then will we, like those “poor humble beggars”
position ourselves in such a place to ask for help.
We see that in Jesus, who alone is able to
fill our need, we have all that we need. It is then that our “dependency”; our being “poor in the spirit”
becomes a great blessing. We come to see
as St. Paul wrote that “his grace is sufficient” and that “being weak
we are made strong”. We come
to see all we that need do is ask of our Lord who will so freely assist us and
generously and graciously provide for us.
Being “poor humble beggars” rather than a reproach, it become a great
blessing to us as we lift our eyes to our Lord and await Jesus' every blessing
knowing that in him is all we will ever need.
Let us all be completely “dependent” on Jesus and be blessed as “poor humble beggars”.
Benediction: May we each and all, see our need for
our Lord Jesus and daily and humbly, let us always be "poor in spirit" and rely upon Jesus' gracious
provision and divine assistance for all that we might need, today, tomorrow and
forevermore the Amen
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Rev.Todd Crouch, Norman, Oklahoma
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