Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Well, here goes. These verses to me say that worldly wealth, good works, and name mean nothing to God. God says that the meek, those who mourn, and those who are poor in spirit are blessed. Those who are able to give everything up to him are the ones who are blessed. God wants us to be dependent upon him, not ourselves. I don't know about you guys, but I often times find myself depending upon me and thinking that I have things under control. Boy, I sure would have messed my life up a lot if I was in control!
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Good stuff Justin! Haven't figured out how to be a contributer yet, so I'll comment. I think we could spend a few weeks just talking about these verses alone. Some of the questions we have to consider are: What does it mean to be "poor in spirit?" What are we "mourning" over? What does it mean to be "meek/gentle?" Any thoughts?
ReplyDeleteI would guess that the "mourning" is over sin in our lives. We mourn and agonize over it and pleed with God to forgive us of the nasty things in our lives.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post Justin. I agree with Josh. We could spend 10 weeks just studying the beattitudes. I helps for me to understand "poor in spirit" by thinking of its opposite...someone who is prideful or "rich" in pride. Pride can be blinding making us ignorant of our own sin.
ReplyDeleteI agree as well that a lot can be discussed just from these verses. My initial thoughts are in regards to suffering. These verses bring together a thought of suffering or even despair. What is God telling us about suffering? Especially suffering that is inflicted on us or suffering that is out of our control. How do we respond? What is the lens we are to look at it through? Can there be fruit from it? Can we gain hope even in the mist of it? A side note I would like to consider to this is in Romans were Paul says suffering produces perseverance, character; and character, hope. I see this verses in Matthew provide encouragement and hope.
ReplyDeleteone way I found to try and answer the question, who are the poor in spirit/those who mourn/the meek is reading other biblical translations. I'm a simple person and don't read Hebrew so I need smarter men than I to help me. My bible is NKJV however, my sister turned me on to the 'The Message' translation, although I don't always fully understand/agree with it, I find the different approach helpful in understanding what God is trying to teach me.
ReplyDelete3 You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
...This says to me that God is interested in those who are no longer obsessed with themselves but fully open to God's will.
4 You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
...I also struggle with this one however I feel it says to me that when I've lost what I think is important God will comfort me with what is really important, his love.
5 You're blessed when you're content with just who you are - no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.
...This one says to me that when I am happy with how God has made me I will realize that he made me exactly the way he wanted and will receive his grace.