Jesus had presented the cup of blessing to those who felt that they were "rich, and increased with goods" (Revelation 3:17), and had need of nothing, and they had turned with scorn from the gracious gift. He who feels whole, who thinks that he is reasonably good, and is contented with his condition, does not seek to become a partaker of the grace and righteousness of Christ. Pride feels no need, and so it closes the heart against Christ and the infinite blessings He came to give. There is no room for Jesus in the heart of such a person. Those who are rich and honorable in their own eyes do not ask in faith, and receive the blessing of God. They feel that they are full, therefore they go away empty. Those who know that they cannot possibly save themselves, or of themselves do any righteous action, are the ones who appreciate the help that Christ can bestow. They are the poor in spirit, whom He declares to be blessed.

»Så tog han til orde, lærte dem og sagde: »Salige er de fattige i ånden, thi Himmeriget er deres.«

Som noget nyt og mærkværdigt lyder disse ord i den undrende forsamlings øren. En sådan lære er i strid med alt, hvad de nogensinde har hørt en præst eller rabbiner udtale. De finder ikke noget deri, som kan smigre deres stolthed eller give næring til deres ærgerrige forhåbninger. Men denne nye lærer besidder en kraft, som henriver dem. Fra selve hans nærværelse udstrømmer den guddommelige kærligheds yde, ligesom duften fra en blomst Hans ord falder »som regn på slagne enge, som regnskyl, der væder jorden". (Sl. 72,6). Alle føler uvilkårligt, at her befinder de sig over for en, som kan læse sjælens hemmeligheder, men som kommer dem nær i øm medlidenhed. Deres hjerter lukker sig op for ham, og medens de lytter, åbenbarer Helligånden for dem noget af betydningen i den lærdom, som menneskene til alle tider behøver at tilegne sig.