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Wednesday December 11 - Poor in spirit, but rich! “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3
These famous sayings, the Beatitudes (all beginning with “Blessed are...”) are all arresting. ‘Blessed’ is sometimes translated as ‘happy,’ and that is certainly part of the meaning. But ‘blessed’ also conveys the sense of experiencing the favour of God.
We usually think that it’s the rich who are happy, not the poor. But Jesus starts by declaring that the people who are really favoured are ‘the poor in spirit’, and they are the ones who inherit the Kingdom of Heaven – in other words all the spiritual riches that God has at his disposal! I want to be one of them!
But what does ‘poor in spirit’ mean? Is it the financially poor who are poor in spirit? The answer to the second question is often ‘yes’! So they have something to teach the rest of us. Jesus explains it further in his parable in Luke 18:9-14, in which a wealthy religious leader goes to the Temple and prays in an arrogant and self-satisfied manner. A despised tax collector also prays but asks God humbly and fervently for mercy. Jesus finishes by saying, “Those who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” So the poor in spirit come to God for pardon and live in humility – and Jesus is the best example of that!
Heavenly Father, have mercy on me today and please help me to walk in humility. Amen.
Thursday December 12 - The blessing of grief “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4
How shocking that those who mourn should be called blessed. Heartache is something we try to avoid!
There is a very moving story told in John 11:1-44 of Jesus and his friends, Lazarus, Martha and Mary. In it we watch a picture of grief as Lazarus dies after being ill and his family and friend respond. Jesus simply weeps (v 35). Sister Martha, on the other hand, also in grief, questions Jesus closely and almost crossly about it. Mary just hides away from Jesus. In any grievous loss, these are common and understandable reactions. But Jesus is right there at the centre of it and he is not unmoved; in fact he is very emotional. But his emotions are not mere sentiment; he raises Lazarus to life miraculously, while talking about the resurrection to eternal life with Martha.
In our verse for today, Jesus talks about the reality of heartbreaking loss and points us to the blessing in it. He speaks from experience and with authority. If and when we experience devastating loss, we can be comforted by the knowledge that Jesus is in it with us, weeps with us and has the power to bring resurrection and restoration. This is the ultimate comfort that we need, and it’s established by Jesus’ own death and resurrection.
Lord Jesus, thank you for being with me in grief, and for bringing the comfort of resurrection! Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
PRAYER FOR TODAY
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