“All who lift themselves up will be brought low. But all who make themselves low will be lifted up.”  –Jesus (Matthew 23:12, Common English Bible)

Everyone has expertise on something.  Bob the bloodhound’s nose puts him in a position to be the “smelliest” creature in the room (Bob hates it when I say that).  Bob’s an expert in all things that give a scent.  As for me, I’ve got more education, training, and experience than one person should really possess (I know just enough about some things to be dangerous).

Yet, when it comes to Christ’s Beatitudes, Bob and I are astounded by this simple observation: They are characteristics that anyone can embrace and possess; the Beatitudes are for everyone.  You don’t need to be Jewish, a male, healthy, wealthy, physically whole, educated, have a great nose, can juggle, make perfect bacon, or be a certain particular person who acts and looks just so to have these basic attitudes and dispositions about life.

What’s more, the Beatitudes are not for those who have their lives all put together.  The Beatitudes are for people who need God because they find themselves in some desperate situation.  To be “blessed,” that is, to have God’s stamp of approval on your life is to be between a rock and a hard place and embrace Jesus to help you.

The Beatitudes are not a knee-jerk, random collection of pithy phrases from Jesus on what constitutes proper religion.  The Beatitudes intentionally build upon each other.  If Christ’s Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is the cornerstone of his teaching; and if his Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12) are the cornerstone of the Sermon; then, being poor in spirit is the cornerstone of the Beatitudes.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3, NIV)

This Beatitude of Jesus is foundational to the Christian life.  Most of the original crowd that gathered to hear Christ’s teaching on the mountain was common ordinary people like you and me.  In fact, a great many of them were on the margins of true and respectable religion.  These were people who didn’t possess much, and, so, did not have much to give.  There were all kinds of things they couldn’t do.

It is to such simple and undistinguished people that Jesus enjoys saying that they have a place at God’s table.  It is those who know their poverty, their low status, and are pitiable people that Jesus is looking for.  To be a person who is poor in spirit simply means that one is a spiritual beggar.  Such a person recognizes that he/she has nothing to offer God.  Poverty of spirit is to see and view oneself, one’s sin, one’s relationships, and one’s life for what it really is: spiritually bankrupt.

In other words, folks who understand they have no ability to strike deals; have nothing to leverage with; and, realize they don’t deserve a darned thing; are the ones who beg to have God in their lives.  No respectable person with position, pedigree, and power would ever beg for anything.  They aren’t in want.  They can do it all themselves, thank you very much.

Conversely, spiritual beggars, the poor in spirit, are constantly praying because they clearly and rightly discern that they want and need God.  Their understanding is that without God there is no hope!  Without God, without Jesus extending his mercy and grace, they will not make it!  And Jesus says that it is to such people that the kingdom of heaven belongs.  The poor might not have a place to stand in human institutions, governments, and systems; but, it is spiritual beggars who cry out to Jesus because they need him.  It is Jesus who will populate the realm of God with those whom we think are on the outside.

God is not looking for people who see the glass half-empty or half-full.  He is searching for the person who has a completely empty glass.  Only then can that person be filled with the life of God in Christ.  You cannot fill a glass that is already full.

In other words, humility characterizes every person who comes to God and lives in God’s kingdom.  The proud cannot enter because their heads are too big to get through the door.  Only those who know their humble state and seek Jesus in that position are worthy to enter.  None of our accomplishments, talents, ingenuity, or good looks will do anything to help.  We all need Jesus; and, the sooner we come to this conclusion, the sooner we will know what it means to be truly blessed.