King Jesus in the Queen City: A Study of Matthew

When we hear, “Thus sayeth the Lord”, our eyes widen and we listen. The Sermon on the Mount is the real King’s Speech, and its ink is painted red. God in the flesh is talking. Matthew 5:3 says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” This sounds backwards. Surely it’s the rich in spirit who are blessed, right? But Jesus speaks blessing over people who are poor in spirit. Poor does not mean “below the poverty line”, it means “bankrupt”. All of us have zero spiritual currency. Yet it is precisely people like us whom God blesses. We do not put one penny toward becoming saved; and we do not put one penny toward staying saved. D.T. Niles said, “Christianity is one beggar telling another beggar where he found bread.” We depend on Jesus, not just in the beginning, but today, tomorrow and forever. Even as disciples, we are “dust and ashes” without Him. Praise God we are in His hands! Jesus can be trusted to start and finish our faith, and He has spoken good words over us.

Questions to discuss as a family today

1. Jesus started my faith, am I trying to finish my faith on my own?
2. How could today be better if I remember I am still poor in spirit?
3. As someone who is poor in spirit, what do I hope to offer my neighbors?

Prayer

Carmel values Dependent Prayer. Pray dependently for God to bless you spiritually. Thank God that his grace not only saves you, but keeps you. Ask God to use your spiritual poverty to bless your Neighbors.