Blessed are...

Rich, Yet Poor

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,” wrote Paul to the Corinthians, “that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.”[1] The poverty that Christ embraced was our human condition. He exchanged the courts of heaven for a stable in Bethlehem, and for a hill called Calvary. “And being found in human likeness, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death – even death on a Cross.”[2] Christ gave up the power that had flung the stars into space; He willingly made Himself nothing in order to reach those who could not help themselves.

“Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place, and gave Him the name that is above every name.”[3] Our Lord humbled Himself in obedience to His Father’s will; but God raised Him up. Now the humiliation of the Cross has been exchanged for the hallelujah of heaven. The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.[4] The Crucified Savior reigns.

And we, if we will recognize our spiritual poverty and turn to Him in repentance and faith, will be raised also. Restored to our Father’s side, we enjoy the privileges reserved for citizens of His Kingdom. We have peace with God, and one day we shall reign with Him in the heavenly Kingdom, where there shall be no more hunger or thirst or tears, and our poverty shall be swallowed up in praise.



Risen, reigning Lord,
I praise You.
You left Your Father’s throne - for my sake.
You endured the limitations of human existence - for my sake.
You suffered and died – for my sake.
You rose again, to lift me from the dust and to set my feet upon the stars.
For all this, and so much more, I will praise You.
Amen.




[1] II Corinthians 8:9
[2] Philippians 2:8
[3] Philippians 2:9
[4] I Peter 2:7