Matthew 5: The Sermon on the Mount (2)
Pray Psalm 130.6.
My soul waits for the Lord
More than those who watch for the morning—
Yes, more than those who watch for the morning.
Sing contemplatively Psalm 130.6.
(Hamburg: When I Survey the Wondrous Cross)
More than the watchmen wait for the day, eagerly seeking the morning light,
I wait for You and earnestly pray, hoping in You with all my might.
Read Matthew 5.1-12; meditate on verses 3, 4.
What should the state of our spirit be?
Prepare.
1. What does Jesus promise in these two verses?
2. What do we learn about the Lord’s blessings here?
Meditate.
The people had gathered, hoping to be blessed by Jesus. Perhaps most of them had an idea of the blessing they wanted to receive. The purpose of the beatitudes is, in one sense, to clarify the meaning of blessing, so that we make sure that what we’re seeking from the Lord is what He desires to give us.
The word blessing means “pertaining to being happy, with the implication of enjoying favorable circumstances—happy” (Louw and Nida). Left to our own devices, we will define happiness in many ways. Jesus indicates that happiness, as He intends it, is available to those who recognize the impoverished state of their soul, and who seek the Kingdom as the remedy (v. 3).
Jesus was, I believe, deliberately vague in His use of “spirit” (NKJV) here. In the Greek, a definite article is included, so that the translation is more accurately the spirit or even the Spirit. I believe Jesus wanted His hearers to think of both—the Holy Spirit of God and their own soul (spirit). Only when we recognize the impoverished condition of our own spirit, and our lack of engagement with the Spirit of God, are we ready to receive the Kingdom which the Spirit of God brings. And receiving the Kingdom is the entry point to a life of blessedness with God.
Verses 3 and 4 continue this focus on entering the state of blessedness—life in the Kingdom. Life in the Kingdom entails being comforted or encouraged in life. The word in the Greek is παρακληθήσονται, paraklethesontai, and it shares the same root as the word, Comforter (Greek: παράκλητος, parakletos). The kind of mourning Jesus intends here is the kind that can only be soothed by the Comforter of God, Who dwells in all who are forgiven and born from above. Recognizing the poverty of our souls—how destitute of good we are, how incapable of making ourselves right with God, how loathsome we are to ourselves and God—leads to a deep spiritual mourning, sorrowing for our wretchedness and weeping for our lost condition.
These two verses deliberately recall Isaiah 61.1-3, in which the coming of the Messiah is announced. Jesus offered the people blessing—life in the Kingdom—where the comfort of the Spirit attends to all who enter. But we must first recognize our need for such blessing. We must accept the idea of blessing as Jesus defines it and recognize our impoverishment with sorrow and mourning (cf. Lev. 23.26-32; Is. 22.12-14). Only then are we ready to be blessed by Jesus and elevated to a new and truly happy life.
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
Jesus’ sermon begins at the very beginning:
we need a Savior and
we cannot save ourselves.
His words reiterated the basics of salvation:
Those who are “poor is spirit”, who receive the “kingdom of God”, could not have done it themselves.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves;
it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Eph. 2.8, 9).
Those who “mourn” over their sins against God (Ps. 51.4) are “comforted” with salvation.
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners,
Christ died for us” (Rom. 5.8).
Then when those truths are understood; the blessings are showered upon us.
“Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD!
Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart!” (Ps. 119.1, 2)
“Blessed is every one who fears the LORD, who walks in His ways” (Ps. 128.1).
God’s comfort and love are ever present and all embracing.
“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms…” (Deut. 33.27).
For those who mourn their poorness of spirit, He is ever present to heal:
“For He shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those who condemn him” (Ps. 109.31).
“Yet He sets the poor on high, far from affliction, and makes their families like a flock” (Ps. 107.41).
“He raises the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the ash heap, that He may seat him with princes—with the princes of His people” (Ps. 113.7).
God’s ability to comfort is unsurpassed. He is the God of all comfort.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
Who comforts us in all our tribulation…” (2 Cor. 1.3, 4).
“I, even I, AM He Who comforts you” (Is. 51.12).
Jesus is indeed fulfilling the prophecy spoken by Isaiah:
“The Spirit of the LORD God is upon Me…
to preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives…
to comfort all who mourn,
to console those who mourn…” (Is. 61.1-3).
“There shall be showers of blessings” (Ezek. 34.26) upon those who enter the Kingdom of God;
and who dwell there, sustained daily by His Word and power.
Reflect.
1. Should “poor in the spirit” be for us an ongoing condition? Explain.
2. What should being poor in the spirit lead us to do?
3. When is it appropriate to “mourn”?
That godly sorrow which worketh true repentance, watchfulness, a humble mind, and continual dependence for acceptance on the mercy of God in Christ Jesus, with constant seeking the Holy Spirit, to cleanse away the remaining evil, seems here to be intended. Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on Matthew 5.3, 4
Pray Psalm 130.1-5, 7, 8.
This psalm moves from desperation to hope, from confession to confidence in the Lord, from seeking the Lord to resting in His redemption. Let it guide your prayers this morning, that you may be renewed in your spirit as you mourn for your sins.
Sing Psalm 130.1-5, 7, 8.
Psalm 130.1-5, 7, 8 (Hamburg: When I Survey the Wondrous Cross)
Out of the depths I cry to You, LORD! LORD, hear my voice; have mercy on me!
Who can resist Your powerful Word if You should mark iniquity?
There is forgiveness, LORD, with You, that we may fear before Your face.
I wait for You; in Your Word most true I hope to find renewing grace.
Hope in the LORD, with Jesus is love! Plenteous redemption abounds in His face.
He will redeem us, who rules from above; He will forgive us by His grace.
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment to give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
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Other columns of interest: This week: The Read Moore podcast begins a series of readings from our book, The Kingdom Turn. Our Crosfigell teaching letter has begun a new series on the state of the Church in Europe at the time of the Celtic Revival. The ReVision column is studying the Church and why we need it. Check out our other excellent writers. Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.
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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
