Poor in Spirit

Preamble: Sermon on the Mount

When: Early in Jesus’ Ministry, while still in Galilee

Where: “Up on a mountainside” in Galilee, sat down

Who: Jesus to Disciples (the 12 already called) and Crowd (all Syria: Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and region across the Jordan)

Why: Introduction, and summation of the New Law (Like the Old, given from a mountainside)

Blessed:

Same Blessing as promised to Abraham, His offspring, Isreal, David, Judah

More than Happiness, completion and future fulfillment. Ultimate well-being and distinctive spiritual joy of those who share in the salvation of the Kingdom of God.

Poor in Spirit:

As opposed to the Spiritually Proud and the Self-Sufficient

Are… for Theirs is...

The verbs used are present tense, all other beatitudes are in a: Are… for they will...

This is unique to the first 7, but same as last two blessing promises “their’s is” and “great is”

The Kingdom of Heaven

The Kingdom is not something Earned, it is a gift, not a reward.

“The Kingdom has come near”

“I will send a Helper”

“I am in Him, and He is in me… you must be in me, I in you… I am the Vine you are the Branches”

Application

Understand Blessing

Become Poor in Sprit

Usher in the Kingdom of Heaven