Blessed are the poor in spirit

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

 

Poor in spirit. It sounds bad. Hopeless? Crushed by life?

Or just plain poor. No money. You can’t buy stuff you want or need.

When do they get it? Those poor. That kingdom of heaven. In the future?

The kingdom of heaven is at hand, he said.

It’s close by in time. It’s now.

My kingdom is not of this world, he said.

How so?  He did not say: it’s not for now. He did not say: It’s for later.

It’s just different. No physical revolution to get it going. No war to keep it.

No land to defend.

No uniforms. No special hats.

You can get in now.

But it’s different.

The hopelessness goes away. The crushed spirit is lifted up. The poverty is addressed.

The poor are hearing the gospel, he said.

How does that help?

Well, let’s say you gave them, you know, money, a lot of money.

These kingdom people have a lot of money now!

They would have to keep it safe.

They might bury it.

And make a map to it.

Someone gets the map.

They go to take out more of their money. It’s gone!

Hey, Jesus, the money you gave me. Someone stole it.

How about if I just keep it for you. We’ll have fun with it.

Maybe I’ll hide some in a fish. Trust me.

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