Sermon on the Mount - Poor in Spirit

The Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7 is often called the heart of what it means to be a Christian.  Some equate this sermon with the Sermon on the Plains in Luke, but they are clearly two different sermons, given at two different times in two different places.  Oftentimes, I have heard it referred to as “a collection of Jesus’ teachings”.  It is this line of thinking that can end with one calling Jesus “a good teacher” but not the Incarnation of God.  Some even conflate the Sermon on the Mount with “Luke’s version”, the Sermon on the Plains.  I think it is clear these are two separate events, with distinct messages, but similar language.  

I have found the Sermon on the Mount to be an explanation of how one becomes a Christian and, once having become a Christian, how God sanctifies our life as we grow closer and closer to him.  I’d like to look at these sermons, section by section, first the Sermon on the Mount, then the Sermon on the Plains.  

In Matthew, Jesus starts with “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  This is built directly on Isaiah 66:2 and other passages, “These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.”  It is why King David was called “a man after God’s own heart” while King Saul was rejected.  Both sinned in terrible ways.  When he was confronted with his sin, Saul reacted proudly, refusing to repent, and went on to massacre dozens of priests who he suspected were supporting David.  But when David was confronted with his sin, he reacted with humility and contrition.  It is believed that he wrote Psalm 51 in response to his sin against Bathsheba and Uriah.  “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.”  

Psalm 51 goes on in great anguish, begging God for mercy and forgiveness. “My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise (Psalm 51:17).”  When someone you have wronged confronts you, whether with understanding and patience or with anger and hostility, how do you respond?  Do you admit your wrong behavior and apologize? Will you work to atone for your mistake? Will you change your ways?