November 2025 - Brenda H Price

Scripture: Matthew 5:1–12 (Verse 3 focal point)

Do you really know just how blessed you are?

Over the next few months, I want to take a deeper look into Jesus’ message from the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew, chapter 5. Many of us are familiar with what the Bible calls “The Beatitudes.” Yet, few truly understand the depth and significance of the message Jesus shared—not only to His disciples then, but to us today.

Join me over the next several blog posts as we examine each Beatitude one by one, uncovering the beautiful treasures and promises Jesus gave us through these eight profound declarations.

Setting the Scene

In these passages, we find Jesus surrounded by both His disciples and a great multitude. Even in such a large crowd, He ensured that “he that hath an ear, let him hear.” Without the convenience of a synagogue or church building in Galilee, Jesus chose a mountain as His place of teaching. Though His words were primarily directed to His disciples, the multitudes who gathered nearby were able to draw near and learn as well.

What Are the Beatitudes?

The Beatitudes are a series of teachings that define the character of those who are truly blessed and who will find happiness in the kingdom of God. They serve as a spiritual roadmap for Christian discipleship, guiding us in how to live as followers of Christ and revealing the difference between true happiness and worldly happiness.

The First Beatitude

Standing on the mount, Jesus lifted His voice and began His message in verse three—our focus for today:

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

Let’s take a closer look at this verse.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit…”

To be poor in spirit means to acknowledge that God is great, and we are nothing without Him—that He is holy and we are sinful; that He is all, and we are nothing. It is recognizing our continual need for God’s grace and forgiveness.

To be poor in spirit is to see our spiritual helplessness—to be humble and lowly in our own eyes. It refers not to material poverty, but to those who are aware of their spiritual poverty and dependence on God.

Those who are poor in spirit understand their spiritual bankruptcyand their inability to save themselves. They have learned a posture of complete dependence on the Savior, letting go of arrogance, self-righteousness, and pride. It is the willingness to make ourselves small—to serve, to do good, and to “become all things to all men.”

Until we fully grasp this concept, we will struggle to understand why Jesus calls this characteristic blessed.

“…for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Those who are poor in spirit will be preserved—protected, safe, and delivered from every evil work—and most importantly, delivered from eternal death. Their spiritual humility opens the door for divine restoration: health, strength, and the sustaining power of God’s keeping hand.

Erroneous Thinking

Bible scholar Matthew Henry provides insight into the world’s flawed understanding of what it means to be blessed:

“In general, the world’s opinion is that blessed are they who are rich and great, who are honorable in the world; who spend their days in cheer and their years in pleasure; who eat the fat and drink the fine wine.”

However, our Lord Jesus Christ gives us an entirely different perspective. He redefines what true blessedness looks like.

True blessedness is:

1. Designed to remove the discouragement of the weak and poor who receive the gospel.
2. Designed to invite souls to Christ.
3. Designed to clarify the covenant relationship between God and mankind—what God expects from us, and what we can expect from Him.

Therefore, away with this erroneous thinking!

In Summary:

Every one of us must recognize our spiritual bankruptcy and our inability to save ourselves. It is vital that we adopt a posture of complete dependence on Jesus Christ, our Savior.

When we do, we will be preserved—protected, safe, and delivered from every evil work—and most importantly, delivered from death into life.

The foundation of all other graces is laid in humility. It is in this place of humility and surrender that we are restored, strengthened, and kept by the mighty hands of God.