He said:
3“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3)
The word "blessed" (makarios in Greek) can be translated "happy" but a better translation would be "joyful" or "Blissful" (or in a state of bliss). Jesus changes our expectations about life. Without God there is little hope for the poor in spirit, the sad, the meek, the persecuted.
Calvin rightly points out that many are poor in spirit- and if they do not have God they could grow angry, cruel, or ironically proud. But with God in our lives- with a right trust in Him we can have hope and enter into the kingdom of God. One of the requirements for entering the kingdom of heaven is a recognition that we cannot do this on our own. We must submit to God to go His way instead of our way. We should be willing to give our pride and rights up in order to make God our Lord.
Calvin rightly points out that many are poor in spirit- and if they do not have God they could grow angry, cruel, or ironically proud. But with God in our lives- with a right trust in Him we can have hope and enter into the kingdom of God. One of the requirements for entering the kingdom of heaven is a recognition that we cannot do this on our own. We must submit to God to go His way instead of our way. We should be willing to give our pride and rights up in order to make God our Lord.
John Calvin Commentary abridged:
Many are pressed down by distresses, and yet continue to swell inwardly with pride and cruelty. But Christ pronounces those to be happy who, chastened and subdued by afflictions, submit themselves wholly to God, and, with inward humility, betake themselves to him for protection. He gives them hope and the patient assurance of eternal life. For he only who is reduced to nothing in himself, and relies on the mercy of God, is poor in spirit: for they who are broken or overwhelmed by despair murmur against God, and this proves them to be of a proud and haughty spirit.
Many are pressed down by distresses, and yet continue to swell inwardly with pride and cruelty. But Christ pronounces those to be happy who, chastened and subdued by afflictions, submit themselves wholly to God, and, with inward humility, betake themselves to him for protection. He gives them hope and the patient assurance of eternal life. For he only who is reduced to nothing in himself, and relies on the mercy of God, is poor in spirit: for they who are broken or overwhelmed by despair murmur against God, and this proves them to be of a proud and haughty spirit.
Prayer: Lord, help me to humble myself before you. Help my poverty open the way for the richness of kingdom.
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