Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:3 KJV
Context:
It is important to keep emphasis on the fact that the Sermon of Jesus on the Mount was to his disciples. A crowd was always part of his earthly ministry, and the crowd followed him everywhere he went. They all saw the miracles, but very few actually believed. Be careful of a heart that seeks after popular opinion and not the living and enduring Word of God. Be careful of hearts that want to follow the latest fad, not the truth as laid down by God. At the end, nothing lasts forever except the Word of God.
Today's extract is also a message to those who follow after Christ. The one who speaks is not seeking for public acceptance, and will not bend his standard to seek after man's acceptance. It is man that needs to decide what he will do: embrace and follow the standard, or embrace and follow the deception of the devil. You can't do both at the same time. Today's extract lays down one of such truths that require a response from me. What is it going to be?
Message and Response:
What does it mean to be 'poor in spirit'. First, it is not that which the world can fathom, understand or dispense with. It is first an inner state, before it ever manifests as an outward thirst and pursuit of that which is God's. The one who is poor in spirit is one who is very clear about his state and need, and knows exactly who is able to meet that need.
There is no room for self - sufficiency or a feeling of having arrived. It never gets saturated with head-knowledge. It always has room for more of God, never in a state of being full. The one who is poor in spirit does not measure his need for God by the things that engage the heart of the carnal man. The carnal man is concerned with appearances; his life is defined by bank account balances, network or net worth, or the circle of influence he moves in. His sense of esteem is measured in terms of what he can get out of the relationships in his life, not a sense of gratitude for all that he has received freely from the God who loved enough to give his life.
In the light of the above, he knows what he needs to do: always seek the help of the one who can truly satisfy. There is a God-shaped vacuum in the life of every man that is created by God; some fill the gap with activities, friends, or some other secret things, but before the God who sees all, what can a mortal man hide from his immortal creator? A heart that truly seeks after God will NEVER be turned away; that is the promise made by the God who asks us to seek him. How should I respond?
It has to start at the cross. A life that will end up where Jesus is must walk his path. How do I make it to heaven if I do not submit to his authority? How would I be all he wants me to be if I do not submit to his authority? How does he satisfy my need if I do not even admit to the need? How does his riches become my reality if I do not even recognise the problem of poverty that requires his help? The cross is the place of total submission to God; where all of pride and self are broken down and dealt with. It is the place of man's helplessness and God's ultimate offering of divine help leading to eternal life. The kingdom of heaven is for all who have walked the path leading to it, and this entails total surrender to God. Have I truly done this, or am I still struggling with control issues? Am I stuck on what I can get, or am I willing to take God at his Word, sure that he can bring me to the place he has prepared for me? Eternity beckons; how would you respond? His time of favour is here.
No comments:
Post a Comment