Blessed Are Those Who Know They Are Needy

Matthew 5:1-3
Jesus saw the multitudes and took the opportunity to teach them many things. I think it pretty appropriate that his first words to them are both and encouragement and an affirmation. To imaginatively paraphrase, “Happy are those who know they are needy. You know you don’t know everything there is to know. You know you need more for life. Well, you are in the right place at the right time. Listen to what I have to say hear, apply it, and you will find yourself a part of the kingdom of heaven.”

This hits me at the core of my American-Western self-sufficiency. The “I can do it” attitude has to eventually understand there are some things it cannot do. We Americans have accomplished some amazing things, but that doesn’t mean we are all knowing and able to fix everything. Other nationals developed lots of the things we enjoy, and even with their help we still cannot put everything right. What has happened, I am afraid, is that we have chosen to ignore or explain away those things we cannot fix—the things of the spirit. We have achieved much in the physical realm, from manufacturing to medicine. We have learned, through drugs, to alter or numb some of the disorders of the soul. But the realm of the spirit is God’s realm. Only He can do the work that needs to be done in every person’s life.

I would posit that the spirit of a man or woman is the foundation upon which they live, move, and have their being. If that spirit is not rightly related to God, then there is a very weak foundation indeed. My physical maladies of late remind me how fragile this body is, and how things can be going terribly wrong inside without the first “check body” warning light illuminating on the mind’s dashboard. Soul maladies—the things of the mind, will and emotions are more challenging. Why do I think the way I do? Why do I act the way I act? Why do I feel the way I feel? If my spirit is estranged from the Creator, then my answers will be at least somewhat in error.

Paul helps us understand this better in Acts 17:24-31. He is in Athens, expounding the good news to the elite: “In Him we live, move, and have our being” (emphasis added). Jesus said blessed are those who know they are needy—spiritually needy, spiritually poor—for they will seek the truth, find it, and become a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven.

How needy am I? Plum needy—completely needy. I may find treatment for some of my physical issues or challenges. I may be able to treat some of the maladies of my soul. Yet, I cannot fix my spirit. It is the deepest part of who I am. Only the designer-creator knows how it works. Only He can fix it—if I allow Him to.

Health Update:
I am feeling well. So far, the maintenance chemo is not making me feel any ill effects. Keep praying that is the case. There are other side-effects that can only be followed by doing blood work, so I will be going to the doctor on a weekly basis for a tiny bit of blood letting. You can pray those tests show the chemo having minimal impact on my body while at the same time doing their job.