“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matt. 5:3
This seems to come out of the blue. What exactly is the poor in spirit? However our Messiah is quoting Isaiah.
All these things my hand has made, and so all these things are mine, says the LORD. But this is the man to whom I will look, he that is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word. Is. 66:2
The Isaiah passage is about those who are unworthy of entering the throne room. With the exception of those who are poor in spirit.
The unworthy were committing great sins and then offering large sacrifices but with no shame, no repentance, no remorse. Our Lord looks for the humble in spirit. Those that tremble at His Word, and dread His justice and wrath. The humble in spirit are those that realize that there is no bargaining with God. There is nothing one can do to gain God’s favor. There is no sacrifice we can make. There is only acknowledging that He made all sacrifice unnecessary. A sacrifice that we are unworthy of.
God’s grace is free, not cheap, it cost God’s Son, His life.
The Kingdom belongs to the humble. That is why the arrogant cannot see it.
The Song of Songs 