Processing the Kingdom 2: Poor in Spirit

Jesus had just finished healing healing "every disease and affliction" among a large crowd of people who had apparently come to him with just that hope in mind. And when he had a moment to sit down with his new-fledged disciples, I imagine it was with great joy--and perhaps a nod toward some who had just been healed--that he said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

I am reminded of the old joke about the man who has fallen over a cliff and is clinging to a weak little bush on the side of the cliff. He shouts out, "Is there anyone up there who can help me?" God answers, "I am here, my son. All you have to do is trust me and let go. I promise I'll catch you." The man thinks about it for a moments and shouts, "Is there anyone ELSE up there who can help me?"

Clearly, that fellow wasn't poor in spirit. The ESV Study Bible footnote concerning the word "blessed" here refers to "more than a temporary or circumstantial feeling of happiness, this is a state of well-being in relationship to God that belongs to those who respond to Jesus' ministry. The poor in spirit are those who recognize they are in need of God's help."

I like that. It's all about dependence. But the question arises, what about after the healing. I once was blind, but by golly now I see! There is a way we have of turning the kingdom blessings of Jesus into a foundation for pride and self-reliance! Strange, how we can turn even the gifts of God into idols.

That's one of the reasons it's helpful to think of ourselves as "being saved" (continuous) rather than "saved" (one and done); it reinforces in our mind our need, our helplessness, as a continuing reality. As the old song says:

Nothing in my hand I bring,
simply to the cross I cling;
naked, come to thee for dress;
helpless look to thee for grace;
foul, I to the fountain fly;
wash me, Savior, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath,
when mine eyelids close in death,
when I soar through tracts unknown
see thee on thy judgment throne,
Rock of ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee.

But the great thing is, there is much room for joy in all this poverty of spirit, this helplessness and need. The joy is in the certainty of the love and power of the one who is saving us. Even as we are being saved from the peril, let the celebration of our salvation begin! Amazing grace!