Matthew 5:3: The Inverted Kingdom – Part I
Wednesday, January 17, 2024
We have heard the words, “Do not fear”. We have struggled to recognize the Christ who accompanies us always. For the next few days we will reflect on the structure of society Jesus proposes when he asks us to forego power and wealth, pleasure and honor. We think through the new Law of Love that supersedes the old Mosaic Law. And we spend a bit of time considering the inverted nature of God’s Kingdom.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (NSRV)
This vision of the world sees the broken-hearted as close to God.
Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor; the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them! (GNT)
This picture of the world sees the broken-hearted as central to God’s design.
Those people who know they have great spiritual needs are happy. The kingdom of heaven belongs to them. (ICB)
This view of the world sees the wealth as non-essential in God’s plan.
You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. (MSG)
This picture of the world sees wealth as a barrier to intimacy with God.
The Gospels show us how God’s Word walks among the poor in spirit. They show us that Jesus makes a choice to dwell with the lame, the mourning, the betrayed and the ignored. They show us that the Spirit is always hovering along the margins of society, rather than with those who hold great amounts of wealth.
How do we see ourselves as fitting into God’s designs and plans?
When we compare varying versions of this verse, we open ourselves to the joy of living in poverty with Jesus and the millions of poor who people the earth.
For more on Jesus’ teaching and experience on poverty, click on the image above or visit: http://stevesbasics.blogspot.com/2013/11/blessed-are-poor-in-spirit.html
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