Chapter 1—Good News of the Kingdom
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and
preaching the gospel of the kingdom.
Matthew 4:23
.
“He opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in
spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (
Matthew 5:2, 3
). As something
strange and new, these words fall upon the ears of the wondering multitude.
Such teaching is contrary to all they have ever heard from priest or rabbi.
They see in it nothing to flatter their pride or to feed their ambitious hopes.
But there is about this new Teacher a power that holds them spellbound. The
sweetness of divine love flows from His very presence as the fragrance from
a flower....
In the throng that surrounded Jesus there were some who had a sense
of their spiritual poverty.... There were souls who, in the presence of His
purity, felt that they were “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind,
and naked” (
Revelation 3:17
); and they longed for “the grace of God that
bringeth salvation” (
Titus 2:11
)....
Of the poor in spirit Jesus says, “Theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
This kingdom is not, as Christ’s hearers had hoped, a temporal and earthly
dominion. Christ was opening to them the spiritual kingdom of His love, His
grace, His righteousness. ... His subjects are the poor in spirit, the meek, the
persecuted for righteousness’ sake. The kingdom of heaven is theirs. Though
not yet fully accomplished, the work is begun in them which will make them
“meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light” (
Colossians
1:12
).
All who have a sense of their deep soul poverty, who feel that they have
nothing good in themselves, may find righteousness and strength by looking
unto Jesus.... He bids you exchange your poverty for the riches of His grace.
We are not worthy of God’s love, but Christ, our surety, is worthy, and is
abundantly able to save all who shall come unto Him. Whatever may have
been your past experience, however discouraging your present circumstances,
if you will come to Jesus just as you are, weak, helpless, and despairing, our
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