The Doorway to the Kingdom

Sunday Rewind is a 5-day Devotional based on the weekly sermon at Resonate Community Church

September 14th Sermon, Day 1

Jesus begins His most famous sermon with a paradox: the blessed life starts with emptiness. In a world that celebrates fullness—full bank accounts, full schedules, full resumes—Jesus declares that spiritual emptiness is the prerequisite for divine blessing.

When we approach God, our natural instinct is to come with our hands full. We bring our good deeds, our religious knowledge, our moral achievements. We want to show God what we've accomplished, hoping He'll be impressed.

But Jesus flips this understanding upside down. The kingdom of heaven doesn't operate on merit or achievement. It functions on grace. And grace can only be received with empty hands. Think about it—if your hands are already full of your own goodness, how can you receive God's gift?

This first beatitude isn't a call to self-loathing but to honest self-assessment. It's recognizing that before a perfect God, our righteousness is insufficient. This realization isn't meant to crush us but to free us from the exhausting work of trying to earn what can only be given. Today, consider what you're holding onto. What self-righteousness or self-sufficiency might be preventing you from fully receiving God's grace?

The doorway to the kingdom is low, and we can only enter by bowing in humility.

Bible Verse

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 5:3

Reflection Question

What areas of your life do you find most difficult to surrender control over to God, and why might acknowledging your spiritual poverty in these areas actually lead to greater freedom?

Quote 

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. These words launch what we call the Sermon on the Mount, the greatest sermon ever preached. And this opening is a blessing, or what people call a Beatitude. And it's not just an inspirational saying. This opener is actually a doorway."

Prayer

Lord, I confess that I often come to You with hands full of my own accomplishments and goodness. Help me to recognize my spiritual poverty and to approach You with empty, open hands ready to receive Your grace. Amen.