Makarios... Blessed

(Matthew 5: 1-3)

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.

Moses received the Law on Mount Sinai in order to establish the old covenant... Jesus reveals the new Law on the mountain in preparation for the new covenant. And while quoting the Law of Moses is beneficial, we no longer live under it; now the Law of Love (so beautifully presented by the Christ in these three chapters of Matthew) is our new "Ten" commandments. May we determine to learn and put into action this new ethic as we follow Him.

The sermon begins with the "beatitudes". The word comes from the Latin word beatitudo, which is the Latin rendering of the Greek word makarios. The original word, makarios carries with it the idea of "happy", "fortunate" or "blessed".  I prefer blessed. And the reason I prefer blessed is that it better communicates that the "happiness" or "fortune" comes from an outside source. James tells us in his little book that "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change". (1:17) So, for me, the idea "that living out God's plan for my life will produce happiness" is the outpouring of God's good and perfect gift from above. I am thankful that God is still in the blessing business and it seems to me that God is making some promises to us in these "makarios", beatitudes.

So, the stage is set, the crowds have gathered and Jesus sits down and begins to speak...

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

"Poor in spirit"... interesting way to start the sermon. Why would Jesus start a discourse on the proper way to live our lives with the idea that in some way we need to be "poor in spirit"? What did those gathered hear when Jesus said these words? The Greek word used here (ptochos) is used to describe someone who is destitute and fully dependent on others. They have nothing of their own. Their next meal must come from the generosity of someone else. I know it is difficult for us to understand this concept as we are so far from that type of existence. But they were not! They understood very clearly what it was like to have nothing. So, Jesus begins with "poor in spirit" to call them to recognize their need for His teaching and to center their thoughts on that need as he begins His sermon.

Jesus tacks on "in spirit" to an idea of dependence. When you recognize that you are insufficient, then you begin to look for someone or something that is sufficient. Jesus is calling them (and us) to recognize that those that are sufficient within themselves, spiritually speaking will never turn to Him. They think they have the answers. They think their lives are good enough. They think that God owes them. You get the idea? Jesus is telling us that being poor in spirit is the opposite of being filled with pride and self-righteousness.

He says that if we come to Him with spiritually broken hearts, we will find healing. Isaiah puts it this way...
For thus says the One who is high and lifted up,
    who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
“I dwell in the high and holy place,
    and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit,
to revive the spirit of the lowly,
    and to revive the heart of the contrite.

You want to possess the kingdom of heaven? Jesus says we must recognize our brokenness, our need for someone to fix up our lives. I know a man right now that is dealing with the results of alcohol and drug abuse. He is about to lose the ones he loves and because of this, he realizes that he is busted. His life is broken. He thought he had it all. Great job. Beautiful wife. Outstanding kids. But without the Christ, it is all illusion. It's smoke and mirrors. Jesus says to this man (and everyone), recognize your need, your dependence on Me, bring me your broken life and I will give you the kingdom of heaven.

The New Living Translation puts it like this...  "God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs." I don't usually love the NLT, but right here, right now I think they got it just right! Spiritually poor... recognize that God is all sufficient and come to Him with empty hands and He will fill you up, both here and now and hereafter! May God richly bless us as we come to Him for spiritual welfare.

Wise or foolish?