Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.

And he opened his mouth and taught them saying:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:1-3

What is the purpose of the Beatitudes? Who is the audience? What does this teach us about the goal of sermons?

Jesus speaks to his disciples, those that already follow him. He is telling this to those who are already open to hear. The Beatitudes are not done to convince an audience of God’s power; they are blessings for those who are in the community to feel connected to their leader, to each other and to their now purpose. This is a teaching on identity and a call to action to keep pressing into those identities. Sermons are reminders of our identity in Christ and the corresponding promptings for action once we are sent out into the community. How can people who don’t believe in Christ still be moved by the Beatitudes and sermons? Because in hearing these identities, they see themselves; and to keep pushing into growth and discomfort in these identities requires a faith of promises. For those in Christ, we believe God will provide.

How does being “poor in spirit” make one a recipient of “kingdom of heaven?” What is the reality of one who is “poor in spirit?”

Poor requires sacrifice and wisdom. Limits and priorities are at the forefront. There is more a presence to the current situation and its needs. In poor, there is the balance of what one has and what one does not have. In poor, one can see most fully the power of faith and gratitude, resilience and perseverance, of what can be! These are the characteristics of kingdom of heaven. The kingdom of heaven is a perspective and reality of all that can be. It is the faith that abundance and fulfillment lie in sacrifice, wisdom, boundaries, priorities and presence. In one’s surrender and trust that tomorrow God will yet again provide, one lives in a realm void of fear and lack and full of joy and peace.

Prayer: God I pray for a trust in your abundance and provision, that all the areas that the world paints as poor, weak and lacking are the exact places I have my strengths and answers.

How does lack feel? How is that feeling a call to faith and community?