The Sermon on the Mount (2)

The poor in spirit are a blessed people. To be poor in spirit is to feel that we are nothing, have nothing, and look to the Lord in utter submission for His grace and mercy. The question is: how do we become poor in spirit? It is certainly not by our own efforts. It is not by going into a monastery, as Rome taught, or by other self-denying measures. Being poor in spirit is the fruit of the uncovering work of the Holy Spirit who shows the sinner how destitute he is of any true good works. It is also the Holy Spirit who will give an eye to look to Him who, though He was rich, became poor for sinners, that by His poverty they may become rich.

The necessity of it

Being poor in spirit is necessary because:

1) Until we are poor in spirit, we are not capable of receiving the gracious gifts out of the storehouses of the greater Joseph. We must first be emptied. Christ is sent to bind up the broken-hearted.

2) Until we are poor in spirit, Christ will never be precious. Before we see our own wants and what we are lacking, we will never see Christ’s worth and His sufficiency.

3) Until we are poor in spirit, we cannot go to heaven. “Theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

The question may arise: how do we know whether we truly are such a poor one? One of our forefathers says the following about the poor in spirit.

• He is ever complaining of his spiritual state. Though he dares not deny the work of grace in his heart, yet he mourns that he has not more grace. A hypocrite is ever telling what he has. A child of God complains of what he lacks.

• He is lowly in heart and says, “I abhor myself in dust and in ashes.”

• He admires Christ and has high thoughts of Him. He sees himself naked and flees to Christ that he may be clothed in His garments of righteousness and may obtain a blessing.

• He is much in prayer. He is a needy beggar.

• He will do anything that he may have Christ. As Peter, he will cast himself upon the water to come to Christ.

• He is an exalter of free grace. With the apostle he will say, “By the grace of God I am what I am.”

How rich are those that may know something of this!

The precious promise

The Lord Jesus says, “For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Christ has said Himself that His kingdom is not of this world. The disciples expected an earthly kingdom and were already arguing about who would have the highest position in that kingdom. That pride also lives in the heart of those who are not strangers of the life of the poor in spirit. How much discovering and humbling grace is necessary to bring them to, and keep them at, the place of one who considers himself the chief of sinners and the least of the saints.

However, indeed the Lord has a kingdom. There is the kingdom of His power. Christ has said, “All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.” What a comfort it is in our days that Christ sits upon the throne and that He reigns.

The Bible also speaks of the kingdom of His grace. All those who are drawn out of nature’s darkness to His marvelous light belong to this kingdom. They learn what we read in Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.”

There is also the kingdom of His glory. In His kingdom He will be all in all. Here, He will give the inheritance prepared by Him to a prepared people. Those poor, often despised, and often persecuted people will wear the victor’s crown, no more by foes assaulted. This will be because Christ was willing to bear the crown of thorns, and the chastisement of our peace was upon Him.

This precious promise, “for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” means they will receive eternal life. This begins here when the Lord quickens them in regeneration but will be fully and most perfectly their portion in heaven.

• They will receive the kingdom with crowns of glory.

• They will receive the kingdom with robes of holiness and brightness.

• They will receive the kingdom with sceptres, as victors, for they will be more than conquerors. Here on earth, in the spiritual warfare, they are often defeated. They have to say with Jehoshaphat, “In us there is no might against the great company that comes against us,” but Christ has obtained the victory for them.

• They will receive the kingdom with thrones. “He that overcometh will sit with Me upon My throne.”

What will that be for a people powerless in themselves! Luther had to stand before earthly and ecclesiastical rulers and was condemned as a heretic. The followers of the reformers were heavily persecuted, had to flee from place to place, and sometimes died as martyrs, but they received the kingdom. All earthly kingdoms will perish, but this kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, of which Christ is the precious King. Blessed are those who may surrender, bow, and learn to serve Him. It is still the time of grace, and He calls sinners to turn to Him, also young people. His service is a service of love. May you learn to know the choice of Moses and Ruth. Then you will also be poor in spirit but rich in this blessed Savior.

There is still a place by Him for those who deserve to be cast away from His presence. That will be the wonder of grace for those who have learned to experience this.

They will give Him the honor and praise for what He so graciously has given. He has given the gift of Himself and of communion with God. He has given the gift of His unfathomable love. The heavenly Bridegroom will show His delight in His bride. His people will rejoice in Him who bought them with such a precious price. With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought to Him, and they shall enter into the King’s palace. p

(To be continued)

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