“And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.’” Matthew 5:1–3 (NKJV)
Have you ever noticed the first word Jesus spoke in His famous Sermon on the Mount?
It wasn’t “repent.”
It wasn’t “obey.”
It wasn’t “stop.”
It was blessed.
Every time I return to this passage, those first words shape how I read everything that follows.
Before Jesus challenged anyone, He revealed His Father’s heart. That wasn’t an accident. It was intentional. He wanted the gathering crowd to know the One who was speaking before He called them to live differently.
God always seeks to draw people to Himself, not drive them away.
That doesn’t mean Jesus ignored sin, far from it. Before the sermon ended, He spoke with breathtaking honesty about anger, lust, hypocrisy, worry, judgment, and the condition of the heart. His words challenged everyone who listened. Matthew 5–7 (NKJV).
The blessing became the doorway into everything Jesus would teach next.
The first Beatitude begins, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” Being poor in spirit begins with recognizing our absolute need for God. There isn’t much room for God when we’re full of ourselves. Instead, we lie to ourselves by pretending we have everything under control.
Then we finally admit that truth to ourselves and to God. We stop relying on ourselves and begin depending on Him. That’s when we come to God with empty hands, and Jesus calls us blessed.
Today, just as in the time of Jesus, every journey with Christ begins here.
Not with pretending.
Not with performing.
Not with proving ourselves worthy.
It begins with coming to Him honestly.
Perhaps today you’re keenly aware of your weaknesses and limitations. If so, remember the first word Jesus chose to speak on that mountain.
Blessed.
Maybe that’s the only word you need to hear.
About the Author
David Johnson is the co-founder and Director of Ministry at Laurel Mountain Ministries. He is an ordained minister, retired attorney, Bible teacher, and author who enjoys helping people discover God’s truth through practical Bible study. His latest book, PEACEMAKER: A Twelve Session Journey into the Heart of God’s Peace, is available on Amazon.
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