I am a Jesus pusher!!! The helpless state of being poor in spirit is a condition sourced by God. We are not this way because we have sinned through disobedience; we are this way because He created us to be so. The reason is that the unlimited resource of His person might unite with our helplessness; the Kingdom of Heaven is formed in this embrace. “Mourning” ushers forth from that embrace. It is the constant response of the heart being wooed by Jesus. It allows the embrace to be closer and closer. It allows the Comforter to extend His presence in and through us. The very nature of God permeates our lives; meekness is experienced. This enables us to experience the physical world on a new level. His presence creates a hunger and thirst that He alone can fill. As He fills us our hunger is expanded; this enables Him to fill us more. We dwell in a state of mercy; as we experience His mercy we are able to extend mercy. Because we are one with Him we have a pure heart; our pure heart allows us to be one with Him. In it is unity and our position as sons is secured. Peace flows within and from us into our world (Matthew 5:3-9).
Jesus’ presentation of the state of the Kingdom is focused on one source. He is the source. None of these Beatitudes would be true in our lives except for His embrace. Regarding this final Beatitude of persecution, one could make the argument that if it were not for His embrace, persecution would not take place. As described in the further explanation of the Beatitude, it is for “My sake” (Matthew 5:11). This same emphasis is highlighted in the Beatitude. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake” (Matthew 5:10). Therefore, indirectly Jesus is the source of the persecution. Is He more valuable to me than my own comfort and safety? I am a Jesus pusher!!!