The Sermon on the Mount

I believe we'll camp here a while as there is so much in Matthew 5-7 to discuss. 

Why do you think Jesus begins this very important sermon with: "Blessed are the poor in spirit?" I believe this statement is essential to our relationship with God. What is the opposite of a poor spirit? A proud spirit. We cannot hope to follow Christ if we take pride in ourselves and our own accomplishments. Our conversations with God will be filled with a list of our good works rather than crying out to him for mercy and love. 

Jesus paints a great picture of the difference between a poor and proud spirit in Luke 18:9-14. 

"He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and treated others with contempt: 'Two men went into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself prayed thus: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all I get.' But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast saying: 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." 

That sound you just heard was Jesus dropping the hammer on any pretense of pride we have. Our proper posture before God is to beat our chest and say "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!" That is the definition of being poor in spirit. The real relationship with Jesus that brings all his life to us comes from a poor spirit. The tax collector left the temple justified. 

Which are you, the Pharisee or the Tax Collector?

Peace, 

Jeff Moody

jeffmoody82@gmail.com

Comments

[Rob Slagle]

A good way to discern the answer to your question is the object/motives of our speech/actions. Are our words filled with "God/Jesus-is/has/did/going to" or is it "I/me/ours am/have/did/going to"?

[Jeff Moody]

Great point Rob. When we encounter God, his glory should lead us to worship, not self promotion. We really do not have a clue about God if we are still trying to measure up with our activities.