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

                                                                               Matthew 5:3 

We have already examined why every person should seriously consider being poor in spirit. In light of God’s glory, we are all in spiritual need of something that is beyond ourselves, namely redemption. This redemption is directly from God and is found only when we place our faith in the Person of Jesus Christ. So let’s complete this redemptive picture by reexamining the problem of sin and the tremendous good news that follows.

Truth #1: Salvation is a gift from God and is by faith in Jesus! 

…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus…

                                                                                                Romans 3:23-24 

While we have all sinned and fallen short, God has stepped into our story to provide salvation, forgiveness, healing, redemption, and restoration as a gift. This was done according to His grace. When we place our faith in Christ, we receive this gift and experience the life that comes as a result.

Truth #2: Jesus bore our iniquities on the cross! 

All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way, but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.

                                                                                                         Isaiah 53:6 

Just as all of us have gone astray, God has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Jesus. It is worth our time to pause and take on the full weight of what is being proclaimed in this passage. God chose to send Jesus Christ to be the atoning sacrifice for our sin. The One who was without sin was punished as if He had. Likewise, in Christ, sinners are set free as if they had not sinned at all. This is often referred to as the great exchange. Jesus steps in to take the curse and the punishment that our sin deserves for the sole purpose of redeeming us to live lives free from sin and its consequences. This is what it means for the iniquity of us all to fall on Him. Because Jesus bore our iniquities, we do not have to.

Truth #3: Jesus has fulfilled the demands of the Law on our behalf! 

For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.

                                                                                                                        James 2:10 

Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. 

                                                                                                            Matthew 5:17 

Unfortunately, some will use this passage as a means of adding works to the already perfect and complete sacrifice of Christ, namely, “I did not come to abolish” (the Law). But Jesus is letting us know that the demands of the Law are still firmly in place. What that means for humanity is that we are all guilty before God. But it is the latter part of Christ’s declaration that should bring us hope. Although the demands of the Law are still present, Jesus has fulfilled the Law for us, meeting all of its demands. That means that we no longer have to be concerned about living up to that standard rather faith in Christ has now become the standard. As we believe, we are credited with a righteousness that comes from Jesus’ fulfilling of the law.

Truth #4: Just as condemnation came through Adam’s one sin, salvation comes                                    through Christ’s one act of righteousness.

So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men.                                                                                                           

                                                                                                                 Romans 5:18 

The phrasing is exactly the same. All of mankind has been brought into judgment because of the sin of Adam. Likewise, all of mankind can be brought into justification of life by Jesus’ one act of righteousness. Just as the curse covers everyone, so does the offer of salvation. Paul expresses this reality by using parallel language in the declaration of both spiritual truths. So now, let’s look at the passage that follows this great declaration and we will discover the why behind God’s offer of salvation. 

The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more…

                                                                                                Romans 5:20 

Simply put, to whatever level our sin and condemnation has compounded, God’s grace has superseded it. The Law reminds us of how far we have fallen; the gospel reminds us of how far we can rise! To be “poor in spirit” is to acknowledge our need for a Savior. As we take on this spiritual disposition, leading us to the cross, Jesus declares us blessed!

Happy are those who are poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!