"The Good Life" - Week 9

Week 9 - Matthew 5:3

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


To the Beatitudes we go.

The churchy word would be "blessed." But Jesus doesn't use the churchy word. He uses the secular word. Makarios is better translated "lucky" or "Congratulations!"

I have to say, it's an interesting choice of word for the list we'll study over the next couple of months. Lucky are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, and those who are persecuted? Interesting.

Obviously the kingdom of God does things a bit differently from the kingdoms of this world.

I like the way The Message translates Matthew 5:3. "You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule."


Anybody at the end of their rope? Good, there's good news coming your way!

As you dwell in Matthew 5:3, here are a few questions to consider and comment on:

1) Matthew says the poor in spirit are lucky. Luke says its the poor that are lucky. What's the difference between the two? Are these two terms more alike than many would believe? Why or why not?

2) Why would Jesus describe the poor in spirit as "lucky"?

3) Should we seek to become poor in spirit? Or is this a blessing for those who are already poor in spirit? Are the Beatitudes prescriptive or descriptive?

4) How is this good news for the lost in your community? How does this verse impact our sharing of the good news?

5) What are some ways that Christians (those committed to putting the kingdom on display) might seek to implement this passage in order to proclaim the good news in 2012?