Jesus’ sermon on the mount started with impactful declarations referred to as The Beatitudes. In this series, we delve into each beatitude, starting with the initial one that states, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, who realize their need for God, for they will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 5:3).
1. What Does To Be Poor In Spirit Mean?
Being poor in spirit stems from acknowledging that we are not solely human beings but also spiritual beings. As human beings, we possess a physical body, while as spiritual beings, we house a spirit within us.
After Adam and Eve committed the sin, they experienced a spiritual death, indicating the absence of the Spirit of God within them. Being poor in spirit signifies lacking the presence of God’s Spirit.
2. How Does One Realize Their Need For God?
Living solely on our own strength, wisdom, and resources leads us to independence, distancing ourselves from the need for God. However, life eventually presents challenges that surpass our own capabilities.
During these challenging times, we might feel defeated, despondent and finally come to terms with our own vulnerabilities and limitations. This realization shifts our perspective, leading us to seek God who is rich in strength and wisdom to help us face life’s obstacles.
Realizing the need for God is akin to a child who bravely takes on a challenging task only to experience failure. Thereafter, they recognize their limitation and the need for parental support to complete the task.
Similarly, we may feel invincible until faced with a greater challenge. This realization highlights our limitations and the necessity of turning to God for guidance.
3. How Are You Blessed By Being Poor In Spirit
We are blessed when we to recognize our spiritual poverty and our reliance on Him, leading us to seek God, who surpasses everything.
When we acknowledge our need for God, we begin to pursue Him and God promises that those who seek Him will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13).
Finding God is the blessing we receive. This aligns with Jesus’ teaching that says seeking the Kingdom of God should be our primary focus (Matthew 6:33). Likewise, David also writes that the one thing he seeks the most is to be in the presence of God (Psalm 27:4), further reinforcing the importance of God’s presence in our lives.
4. How Jesus Realized His Need For God
Jesus, despite being God incarnate, also realized he was poor in spirit and needed the Spirit of God begin and complete his assignment on earth. He demonstrated this by going to John the Baptist to be baptized.
Luke 1:80 reads, “John grew up and become strong in spirit.” Jesus realized he was poor in spirit, sought John, found him and asked to be baptized. Though John objected this requested, Jesus insisted, in order to fulfill what is right before God (Matthew 3:15).
As Jesus came out of the water, His need for God’s Spirit was satisfied as the Spirit of God descended and settled on him (Matthew 3:16).
He knew that before he could begin his ministry of preaching the Good News of the Kingdom of God and laying down his life on the cross, he would need to be capacitated by the Spirit of God to fulfill these acts.
Jesus declared, “seek and you will find”. He sought the Spirit of God and received it. Likewise we must seek God’s Kingdom, for rest assured the beatitude confirms that the Kingdom of God is ours.
5. What Is The Kingdom of Heaven?
The Kingdom of Heaven (a.k.a. The Kingdom of God) is the reality that God is the Creator of the entire universe, and has given it under the authority of His Son Jesus Christ (John 13:3).
We, all human beings, are also part of God’s creation. When we become saved, we willingly submit to the authority of Jesus Christ as Lord over our lives. All this is initiated by realizing we are poor in spirit and seek God to fill us with His Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is the medium that brings spiritual realities here on earth. Jesus performed miraculous signs only after he the Spirit descended on him. Before that, there is no record of him performing miraculous works.
It is through the Holy Spirit that elements of spiritual Kingdom of Heaven are made manifest in this physical earth. The healing is a spiritual reality that was manifested in the blind being able to see, the lame being able to walk and more. Therefore, this makes the Holy Spirit so important in our lives, so that He may align every facet of our lives to the spiritual reality of heaven.
6. The Importance Of The Holy Spirit
Without the Holy Spirit, we are guaranteed to live a mediocre and worthless life. Having the Holy Spirit indicates the presence of God is with us, and with God we are able to do great things through is power and life giving Spirit. Paul expressed that we are like fragile clay jars containing great treasure, the great treasure being the Holy Spirit housed in our physical bodies.
Recognizing the significance of a life connected to God, Davide pleaded not to be separated from the Holy Spirit. In Psalm 51:11, he expressed, “Do not banish me from your presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit from me.”
The disciples realized that with the Holy Spirit comes power. When they were being discipled by Jesus, they failed to heal a demon possessed boy (Matthew 17:15-16). But soon after Jesus ascended to heaven, the Holy Spirit came and filled them. Thereafter, they began to do the same mighty works that Jesus did – preaching the gospel with boldness, healing the sick, raising the dead and more.
Moses when leading the children of Israel into the promised land asked God this, “If you don’t personally go with us, don’t make us leave this place…, for your presence among us sets your people and me apart from all other people on earth” (Exodus 33:15-16). Moses knew that a life with the presence of God guarantees prosperity, victory in battles and more.
7. Final Remarks
This article sought provide insights into the first beatitude. By God’s revelation, it has been established that being poor in spirit stems from realizing our limited carnal nature, and that we need God’s Holy Spirit to live according to God’s will.
In Ephesians 3:19, Paul prayed that we may be filled with the fullness of God. This was a prayer to be filled with the Holy Spirit which carries the fullness of God, the same way Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit after being baptized.
We must contend to always to grow in the spirit, seeking God’s Kingdom of Heaven is a never ending exercise for His Kingdom can never be fully exhausted, it is eternal. Once we achieve a level of spiritual experience in the Kingdom, there is more levels to explore. This is why we are called to never to suppress or quench the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19).
Read the next article on the second beatitude to discover what happens after we realize our poverty in spirit.
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