JESUS

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When Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:3) we hear, “You’ll be blessed by God if you’re humble.”   That’s generally true, but it’s not what Jesus says and it’s not the spirit in which he speaks. When Jesus gives his Sermon on the Mount the crowd listening to him includes those who are “ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed” (Matt. 4:24). These people are spiritually impoverished. That’s not the same thing as being humble. You can be spiritually poor and be proud. Or you can be spiritually enriched and be humble.