The Poor in Spirit
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for there is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3
As something strange and new, these words fall upon the ears of the wandering multitude. Such teaching is contrary to all they have ever heard from priest or rabbi. They see in it nothing to flatter their pride or to feed their ambitious hopes. But there is about this new Teacher a power that holds them spellbound. The sweetness of divine love flows from His very presence as the fragrance from a flower. His words fall like "rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth" (Psalm 72:6). All feel instinctively that here is One who reads the secrets of the soul, yet who comes near to them with tender compassion. Their hearts open to Him, and, as they listen, the Holy Spirit unfolds to them something of the meaning of that lesson which humanity in all ages so needs to learn. (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 6)
Reflection: Christ has not changed. He still reads the secrets of the soul. If we will let Him, Jesus still comes near with tender and compassionate entreaties, longing for us to give our sinful burdens to Him, the One who saves to the uttermost. Let us read His Word like it was directed to us personally.
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for there is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3
As something strange and new, these words fall upon the ears of the wandering multitude. Such teaching is contrary to all they have ever heard from priest or rabbi. They see in it nothing to flatter their pride or to feed their ambitious hopes. But there is about this new Teacher a power that holds them spellbound. The sweetness of divine love flows from His very presence as the fragrance from a flower. His words fall like "rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth" (Psalm 72:6). All feel instinctively that here is One who reads the secrets of the soul, yet who comes near to them with tender compassion. Their hearts open to Him, and, as they listen, the Holy Spirit unfolds to them something of the meaning of that lesson which humanity in all ages so needs to learn. (Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 6)
Reflection: Christ has not changed. He still reads the secrets of the soul. If we will let Him, Jesus still comes near with tender and compassionate entreaties, longing for us to give our sinful burdens to Him, the One who saves to the uttermost. Let us read His Word like it was directed to us personally.
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