Blessed are the Poor in Spirit

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

Do you know how to be blessed by God? The religious Jews thought they could be blessed if they followed the Law of Moses - if they offered the right sacrifices and observed all the special days. Jesus said – that’s not how you’re going to get God’s blessing. He said you’ll be blessed if you’re poor in Spirit.

Blessed means blissful or fortunate and we know what it means to be poor but what does it mean to be poor in spirit? To understand it better let’s consider some synonyms for “poor” – busted, broke, or bankrupt. Now insert the word “spiritual”. Fortunate are people who are spiritually busted, broke or bankrupt.

Jesus was saying – fortunate are people who realize that they’re spiritually bankrupt. Fortunate is the person who finally realizes that they’re spiritually broke and that they need God.

You’ll never come to Christ until you understand you’re true spiritual condition. Without Jesus you are bankrupt. You have no hope. When you understand the reality of that truth you will finally understand the beauty and value of the cross.