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The originality of Christ is evinced in these first sentences of his discourse. "Nothing," says David Hume, "carries a man through the world like a true, genuine, natural impudence." Sturdy qualities are approved by men of the world, and quiet virtues are despised. Christ places these in the forefront, and associates with them benedictions in a manner which astonishes the poets, philosophers, and sages of antiquity. Let us -

I. REVIEW THE QUALITIES HERE COMMENDED.

1. Poverty of spirit.

(1) The "poor in spirit" are not the poor in profession. The monks routed by Henry VIII. had professed "perpetual poverty;" but many of them were both lusty in flesh and haughty in spirit.

(2) Neither are they the poor in circumstances. Poverty, in the abstract, is no virtue. Many owe their poverty to stupidity; many to crime.

(3) Neither are they the poor-spirited. The slaves of lust are moral cowards. "Conscience makes cowards of us all."

(4) They are the spiritually humble. Those who are humbled before God by the sense of unworthiness. Those who value others rather than themselves. Those whose righteousness is Christ. Those who chafe not under providential reverses, but in everything give thanks (see Philippians 4:11-13).

2. Mournfulness.

(1) On account of personal sin. Who mourn not despairingly, as Judas, as lost souls. But with an eye to Christ (see Zechariah 12:10).

(2) On account of sin in others. As Jesus wept over Jerusalem. In this we mourn with Christ, who, passing with pure human sympathies through a world of sinners, was a "Man of sorrows."

(3) In sympathy with the mourning of others. With sinners in penitence. With saints in affliction (see Psalm 137:1-6).

3. Meekness.

(1) The meek are those who lovingly bow to the authority of God. Who in affliction bless him (see 2 Samuel 12:22, 23). Who by prayer seek his guidance.

(2) Those who are slow to give offence (Titus 3:1, 2). Whose bearing to superiors is modest - to parents, masters, rulers. To inferiors con-descending - to children, servants, the poor. Let your condescension be without affectation.

(3) Those who are slow to resent offences. The nero boy was well instructed who, when asked, "Who are the meek?" replied, "Those who give soft answers to rough questions" (cf. Proverbs 16:1; 1 Corinthians 13:5-7; James 1:19). Christian meekness would soon end the scandal of Church squabbles.

(4) Christ is our Model. Even Moses, "the meekest of [mere] men," was "angered at the waters of strife" (Psalm 106:32, 33).

II. MEDITATE UPON THEIR BLESSEDNESS.

1. The kingdom of heaven is for the poor in spirit.

(1) It is theirs in prospect. They may be worsted in competition with the impudent in this earth; but they will have the advantage in the great future.

(2) It is theirs in possession. "The kingdom of heaven is within. The kingdoms of this world consist in meat and drink." Of that, in "righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost." The meek will accept this kingdom, while the proud refuse it. The meek are accepted, while the proud are refused.

(3) The spiritual experience of the meek is to the heaven of the future as the sod of infeoffment given into the hand of the heir of an estate.

(4) Note: Meekness is put first, because self-denial is the first lesson of Christian discipleship (cf. Matthew 10:38; Matthew 16:24; Luke 14:27). When we would build high, the foundation must be laid low.

2. There is comfort for the mourner.

(1) For the penitent seeker the comfort of pardon. The Holy Spirit, as the Comforter, witnesses this to the heart. The "fruits of the Spirit" comfort his reflections.

(2) For the afflicted saint the comfort of holy sympathy. The sympathy of Christ. Of his servants.

(3) For the sympathetic spirit union with Christ.

"'Midst blessings infinite,
Be this the foremost, that my heart has bled!" It is better to go to the house of mourning than to the house of feasting.

(4) Heaven will be a place of comfort. It will compensate for suffering (cf. Luke 16:25). "Glorified together" with Christ.

(5) Full of comfort is the assured hope of heaven (cf. 2 Corinthians 1:5-7; 2 Thessalonians 2:16, 17).

3. The meek shall inherit the earth.

(1) They do now, in a remarkable manner, inherit it. For they make few enemies. Contentment gives them riches in the fewness of their wants. Providence is on their side (see Psalm 76:9). Look around. Who but the good rationally enjoys life here?

(2) They shall more fully inherit it in the millennium (see Psalm 37:10, 11). Those who die without inheriting will be raised to inherit. Abraham (cf. Matthew 22:31, 32; Hebrews 11:13-16). Daniel (see Daniel 12:2, 13). The innocents (see Jeremiah 31:15-17). So the Gentile children of Abraham's faith - the fellow-heirs of the believing Jews,

(3) The meek shall inherit the new earth (2 Peter 3:13). Let us qualify for this blessedness by cultivating the virtues that may claim it. - J.A.M.

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Parallel Verses

KJV: Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

WEB: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.