Matthew 5:1-3 "And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Who is this one that have ascended up this mountains and sits in the midst of this multitude of humanity?
Christ had been preaching repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand, now he will teach who will receive it. The first part of this sermon contains the law of the kingdom of heaven. The first beatitude is the sum and substance of the whole sermon. The world understanding of blessedness/happiness is short sighted and unwise, they call people happy when things go well with them, when they are cheerful, good- natured, loved by family and friends. Blessedness is a much deeper word than "happiness." The New Testament rescues the word from the world's misunderstood application and fills it with a higher and holy meaning. The world is wrong. Good futune is not blessedness; blessedness is the gift of God; which can not be taken away by chance or change. So foreign is this blessedness to the world. Why? Because it had never been seen before, for its origin is from above. The Lord Jesus was the only example and teacher of it, he tell us to learn of him, "for I am meek and lowly of heart"(Matthew 11: 29). Christ is the arch type of the citizen of heaven, it is through him and only him that we can learn how to enter into that kingdom. Poor in spirit, empty oneself, esteeming other better than oneself.
This Christ exemplified, the only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, ........ Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted ( see 1Timothy 6: 15, Philippians 2: 5-8, Hebews 2: 9-18,).
Christ's Exemlifies being poor in spirit.
1) The only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords, become a servant.
2) Being in the form of God, made himself of no reputation.
3) Dinvity, made flesh.
4) Did not took on the nature of angels, he took on him the seed of Abraham.
5) Th holy one, allowed himself to suffer being tempted.
For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich (2Corinthians 8: 9).
Christ did not just teach it, he lived it, and he did is as a man not as a God, leaving us an example that we should walk as he walked.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (Philippians 2:5).
Will you let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: and will you follow his example?
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