Blessed are the Poor in Spirit.
This benediction, instead of having anything arbitrary in its nature, rests on and marks for honor the fundamental quality of an improving Christian life. The old poet has not exaggerated the truth, who says: Heaven-gates are not so highly arched
As princes' palaces; they that enter there
Must go upon their knees.
Whosoever enters the kingdom of heaven, must do it as a little child, with the lowliness, the trust, the consciousness of imperfect attainments, the aspiration for higher excellence, which ought to characterize childhood. It is obvious how this must be so. The first step in improvement is always a consciousness of its need and possibility. The Pharisee of the parable, had he lived an age, retaining the same state of mind which dictated his thanksgiving that he was not like other men, might easily have grown worse, but never better. One so well satisfied with himself, as not to have any defects suggested, when he thinks of the Holy Judge of quick and dead, and who in looking up to God, thinks only how much better he is than his neighbors, is above or below improvement. His character has run to seed, and—tares or wheat—you have before you, the full harvest of his life. But, the poor publican, smiting his breast and saying, “God be merciful to me a sinner,” in this self-consciousness of defect, in this remorse and shame, is in the direction of a better state. The very humility which comes from looking upward, impels one to ascend. The benediction is not on the poor and mean spirited, for their temper is one which tamely acquiesces in baseness. The benediction is, “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” they that are conscious of their spiritual poverty—conscious that they need faith, fidelity, courage, virtuous resolution of will, and continual help from God—blessed, if they feel these defects so profoundly as to be impelled to seek what they need. No condition is so hopeless, as that of insensibility to personal defect and sin; and none so hopeful as that of him, who meaning what he says, prays, “God be merciful to me a sinner.”