‘Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said, “God blesses you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours.’ Luke 6:20(NLT)
‘“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.’ Matthew 5:3(NLT)
‘He lifts the poor from the dust and the needy from the garbage dump. He sets them among princes, placing them in seats of honor. For all the earth is the Lord ’s, and he has set the world in order.’ 1 Samuel 2:8(NLT)
‘“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free,’ Luke 4:18(NLT)
‘Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.’ 2 Corinthians 6:1(NLT)
‘You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.’ 2 Corinthians 8:9(NLT)
‘Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? ‘ James 2:5(NLT)
‘You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. ‘ Revelation 3:17-18(NLT)
‘Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus—the man he had raised from the dead. A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate with him. Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance. But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself. Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”’ John 12:1-8(NLT)
‘All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan. And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan. God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God. And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.’ Ephesians 1:3-14(NLT)
QUIET MOMENT
What strikes you about this verse from the Sermon on the Plain? Continue to meditate on what you think Jesus means when He says that those who are poor are blessed.
GOING DEEPER
Let’s consider what Jesus means when He says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). Read through the verses below and contemplate them in light of this beatitude. What do they say (or imply) about being poor? As you read, seek to understand this profound truth not just with intellectual understanding, but by allowing the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart as you study God’s Word.
1 Samuel 2:8
Luke 4:18
2 Corinthians 6:10
2 Corinthians 8:9
James 2:5
Revelation 3:17-18
The abundant riches that are known by those who are truly poor in spirit, those who dwell in the realm of the kingdom of God, are evident in the outward demonstration of Mary’s extravagant love for the Lord, as recorded for us in John 12:1-8. The pound of pure nard that was poured upon Jesus’ feet was probably the most expensive thing Mary had and a beautiful expression of her heart. What do you think Mary’s actions communicated about her heart? What does she convey about poverty, riches, and blessing in her actions?
What Mary offered the Lord is nothing compared to the true riches found in Christ, as Paul explains in Ephesians 1:3-14. As you read these verses, what do you discover about our inheritance when we become a part of the kingdom of heaven? Take a moment to think about what you are able to bring to Christ in and of yourself. How does this compare with what He has offered to you?
How poor in Spirit are you? How much do you need Jesus? Are you willing to give everything to have Him be who He needs to be in you?
REFLECTION AND PRAYER
Are you willing to ask God to do whatever it takes to render your heart like Mary’s? To have Christ and Christ alone? Is there anything that you wouldn’t be willing to give in order to have that one thing you may lack? Pray through these questions.
TAKING THE TRUTH TO HEART AND BRINGING IT TO LIFE
Choose one truth from today and apply it to your heart. Take it with you throughout the day.
from Jesus, I Need You Part 7