“Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven”, this is the first of nine blessed’s in Matthew 5:3-12. The Greek here means to be supremely blessed, and through extension to be fortunate or well off, the Amplified Bible using happy as an alternate or explanatory word. To be poor in spirit is the first step to entering the kingdom of heaven, which presently “is within you” Luke 17:21, that is in those who truly believe on Jesus as their Savior and Lord. Note that the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God can usually be considered one and the same. Romans 14:17 shows us that this kingdom is not comprised of religious rituals, forms, and observations, rather it is righteousness and joy and peace in the Holy Spirit.” Not our own righteousness but His; He says in Isaiah 54:17 “their righteousness is from Me…” and in 61:10 the prophet Isaiah describing the ministry of God’s anointed, Jesus, says “He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness.” And that is the righteousness He came to clothe us in. And Psalm 144:15 says “Happy are the people whose God is the Lord.” Is this the kind of life you desire? The way to get there is to recognize yourself as spiritually impoverished, with no way to help yourself or change your own position. The way of the kingdom of heaven is quite opposite of the way of the world which is self esteem saying, “I’ve got this, I can do it, I need no help” Etc. Instead the kingdom of heaven is entered into with the understanding that I am like a little child and thus need Father’s help and provision. Jesus said “whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it” Mark 10:15.
The Beatitudes in verse (part one)
By Rose Hill
Happy are you if you aren’t proud;
And think that you are surely endowed,
With such great talent and beauty.
For those who are humble are surely blessed,
With the kingdom of heaven and happiness.
Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson Co. used by permission.