Today we begin the chapter titled: Poverty That Makes Rich
The Beatitudes
by Taylor G. Bunch
Poverty That Makes Rich
"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." This is the opening sentence of the master sermon. It is a strange statement, a paradox. To Christ's hearers it sounded absurd and self-contradictory. It was a disappointment to the majority of His audience because it was so contrary to their expectations and ambitious hopes of kingly power and worldly greatness. they had expected an announcement of the setting up of an earthly kingdom in which they would be favored citizens.
Christ's hearers felt that happiness was impossible as long as they were a subject people under the galling yoke of a foreign power. In this puzzling statement the Blessed One gives the true source of happiness. It is no dependent on outward circumstances. it does not control the inside from without; it controls the outside from within. The heart is the fountain of happiness. Happiness is not the result of what we possess, or of what we do, but rather of what we are. While the first beatitude sounded absurd to the proud Romans soldiers who were present at every large gathering of the Jews, it sounded more ridiculous still to the Pharisees, who were yet more proud and haughty than the Romans. It sounds impossible also to modern men who are selfish and carnal-minded.
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Next week we will be reading the section titled: A Contrite, Humble Spirit
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