On one occasion when Jesus sat down on a hillside overlooking the Sea of Galilee, He didn’t just give a sermon. He was proclaimed the constitution of His Kingdom, a radical reversal of the world’s values. In what we call the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1–12), Jesus gives eight declarations, eight signs that mark the truly blessed life, not as the world sees it, but as God defines it. The Greek word used for “blessed” in each Beatitude is makarios (μακάριοι), which means more than just “happy.” Happiness depends on what happens to us. But makarios speaks of a deep, settled joy, a Divine approval, a state of spiritual prosperity. And dear friends, that’s what I pray for you. Over the next few days we will be walking through each of these blessings, asking what they meant in Jesus’ day and what they mean for us today. Firstly, you know that you are spiritually prosperous WHEN YOU ARE AWARE OF YOUR SPIRITUAL HUNGER AND THIRST. Jesus said…"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3). In Greek, 'ptochoi tō pneumati' (πτωχοὶ τῷ πνεύματι) literally means “the destitute in spirit.” Jesus isn’t talking about material poverty, though sometimes the materially poor are more aware of their need. No, this is about recognising our spiritual bankruptcy. It’s knowing that without God, we have nothing to offer. Like the tax collector who cried out, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” That man, Jesus said, went home justified. To be poor in spirit is the first step toward grace. You can’t receive the kingdom of heaven unless you know you need it.