Advent Guide: You BelongSample

Not Just One of the Crowd

This Scripture in Matthew describes a crowd on a hillside, in another part of the world, 2,000 years ago, who gathered to hear Jesus speak. This was not the A-list, not even the B-list – they were not on anyone's list.

They were sick, diseased, hopeless, and helpless with no place to turn.

They came to this hillside hoping someone could offer relief from all their pain and suffering. The world told them, that if you do the right things and try hard enough, God will bless you. For many reasons, this didn't work out for those in the crowd. It was obvious they weren't living a blessed life.

To most of us, this sounds familiar. We do all the right things, but we don't seem to make the A or B lists. My plan is just not working. I would be in the crowd listening to this man called Jesus.

On that hill in Matthew 5:3, Jesus said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

At first, I thought I had this poor thing covered. I know how to be poor – at least financially. But I realized this wasn't what Jesus was talking about. Poor in spirit is not just a reference to lacking resources but it describes someone stuck in a deep hole, completely dependent, deplete of personal resources, and in need of a God-sized miracle.

They (we) don't need another manual, self-help book, or inspirational speech. We need King Jesus.

How did Jesus respond? He promised them and us the Kingdom of Heaven. To Jesus, we are the reason he came. He loves us to the point that he not only died for our eternal salvation, but for the day-to-day love and grace we desperately seek.

Jesus is not just our Savior; he is our King.

Randy Daniels is vice president for business development and government relations for Buckner International. He is married to Helen who is a nursing student, planning to continue her nursing career that started in Ethiopia. They have four children and are members of Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas.

Don't forget to check out the weekly activity available this week for you and your family to enjoy.