“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3)
The Sermon on the Mount took place at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, following His baptism and temptation. In Matthew 4:17 Jesus proclaimed “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” He was telling the Jews that the Kingdom of God, long promised in the Old Testament, had arrived He followed this proclamation by outlining the values of the Kingdom, depicting its distinctive characteristics of repentance and righteousness. These characteristics are so unlike the ways of the world, that, over the centuries many have declared the standards of Jesus’ sermon to be unrealistic and unattainable. They are idealistic, lofty, and noble but in the light of the perverse wickedness of human nature, they are impractical and unattainable. Blessed are the poor in spirit? Blessed are the meek? These characteristics are ridiculed as the marks of the weak and foolish, the oppressed and the losers. Such are fit only for slaves, not citizens of a mighty and powerful kingdom. The meek and the poor in spirit don’t get anything but stepped upon. The character traits that people seek and idolize are pride, power, strength, self-sufficiency and self-indulgence.
And yet meekness and poverty of spirit in the midst of a world filled with violence, hatred, sin and selfishness are exactly those characteristics that the Lord expects of His people. No one can measure up to God’s standards because what He desires are not outward good deeds or flagrant acts of charity. He desires inner righteousness manifested in selflessness and love. The principles of the Kingdom are not impossible or unrealistic. They are attainable by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. Jesus gave these beatitudes, these principles of the Kingdom because He meant them to be followed. They bless all who follow them or are touched by their effects. The fact that many find them unattainable only points out the sinful nature of all humanity as well as our need for a Savior. If we want to do what God commands we need His grace, mercy and power.