JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on Matthew 5:3.

Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Jesus is pronouncing a blessing on those who recognize our need for God’s grace. We have come to a place where we understand that we are spiritually bankrupt because of our sin, and there is no way for us to pay back the debt on our own. We need the payment that Christ paid for our salvation when He shed His blood on a cross.

Poverty in spirit is a humble place to be. That is where God meets us in His graciousness. James 4:6 says, “He gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says, ‘God opposes the proud, but shows favor to the humble.”

Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to the place of humility that is blessed by God in the Year of Vision.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com