This first beatitude sets the pace for the entire sermon. Jesus is casting a vision for his Kingdom and for human flourishing in the midst of it and he begins with poverty of spirit for a reason. Before anything can be poured into the Christian, she must be emptied. The word that both Matthew and Luke use for “poor” describes the lowest levels of society, poverty so extreme that they have literally nothing. So whether Jesus is talking about real poverty (as Luke describes) or spiritual poverty (as in Matthew), the condition is the same, emptiness in complete need of filling. This is the essential posture of the Christian because it is the only posture that can turn wholly to Christ to be filled.

We are Family, Servants, and Missionaries who Gather, Go, Give, and Grow to be disciples of Jesus, making disciples together in the everyday stuff of life.

We are Family, Servants, and Missionaries who Gather, Go, Give, and Grow to be disciples of Jesus, making disciples together in the everyday stuff of life.