March 17, 2004	Read Matthew 5: 3
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
THE KINGDOM IS OURS When I received my assigned passage I must admit that, while I’ve heard it quoted many times, the meaning was somewhat elusive to me.  What does it mean to be poor in spirit?  I spent some time looking to other translations of the verse and came upon the following from the Daily Study Bible: O the bliss of the man who has realized His own utter helplessness and who has put his whole trust in God, For thus alone he can render to God that perfect Obedience which will make him A citizen of Heaven Certainly, this is familiar territory to those of us who as Lutherans were taught in our confirmation classes that we are saved by grace alone.  In this passage, Jesus tells us that we are unable to become a citizen of heaven of our own doing; it is only by turning ourselves over to God that we can enter the kingdom. This is a difficult concept for many who believe they must “earn” their way into heaven.  I know people who seem to keep a scorecard and have concerns about whether they are tallying up enough checkmarks to enter heaven.  Reading this passage confirms my belief that it is God’s grace that saves me.  That is the best news I can receive. Heavenly Father, thank you for your saving grace, for it is by your grace alone that I will be allowed to enter your kingdom. SUSAYN BRANDES

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