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The First Beatitude
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 5:3, NKJV).
What does it mean to be ‘poor in spirit’? This phrase has nothing to do with finances or status. It means that we become conscious of our own spiritual emptiness – that without God, we are nothing, we have nothing, and we can do nothing of consequence or eternal benefit.
To be poor in spirit means we know that all of our self-righteousness is as filthy rags and all of our self-propelled achievements are short-term and fleeting at best (see Isaiah 64:6).
To be poor in spirit means that you know you need God. Why would this cause you to be ‘blessed’? Because you are open to receiving God’s free gift of salvation and allowing the Holy Spirit to work in your life.
You are willing to humble yourself and pray: “Lord Jesus, I need you. I accept you as my Saviour. I want to yield my life to your will and do things your way to the glory of your name.”
If you are ‘poor in spirit’, you are willing to declare yourself spiritually bankrupt. And in so doing, you lay down your pride of spirit, your pride of will, your pride of intellect and your pride of heart at the feet of Jesus.
If you are ‘poor in spirit’, you open yourself to God’s saving mercy and grace. Consequently, you can enter God’s Kingdom and enjoy all of its benefits and its blessings.
‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven’ (Matthew 5:3 NKJV) means you can pray, ‘Lord, I acknowledge my total dependence on you.’
The Second Beatitude
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4, NKJV).
“Blessed are those who mourn”. (Matthew 5:4, NKJV). Jesus was not necessarily speaking about mourning the loss of a loved one, but that those who mourn over their sins will receive God’s comfort.
When we weep over our sins and the trouble they’ve brought to ourselves and to others, we put ourselves in a position to receive God’s forgiveness.
True repentance does not focus on self. It’s not morbid or despairing; it doesn’t come from false humility or from wallowing in self-pity. It’s an honest acknowledgement that you need God’s mercy and grace.
As long as you delight in your sins, try to justify them or blame others for them, you cannot be forgiven. It is only when you pray, ‘I confess I have sinned against you in my thoughts, words or actions’ that you put yourself into a position to be cleansed of your sin.
The Bible says, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” 1 John 1:8-9, NKJV). And in that is your comfort!
It is God’s forgiveness that produces genuine joy and comfort in your souls. It is God’s forgiveness that heals your deep inner wounds and restores you to intimacy with your heavenly Father.
David said: “I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone’ (Psalm 32:5, NLT).
By Alfred Nyamekye
