Early in the ministry of Jesus, he walked into his hometown Jewish synagogue and declared that he was sent for the poor, the captives, the blind, and the oppressed. He boldly proclaimed that he himself was the fulfillment of the passage he read from the Old Testament book of Isaiah.
Both the Old Testament and the New Testament include hundreds of passages that declare God's love and compassion for the oppressed and destitute. However, if Jesus came for the lowly in our society, what about the majority of us in America who do not exactly fit this description?
Read Romans 3:23
The Gospel of Jesus shows us that we are all a poor and oppressed people in other facets of our life if not physically. If we are honest, our lives and the lives of those around us consist of some kind of brokenness. More importantly, we are spiritually impoverished. We are separated from God by our rebellious sin nature and have nothing of value to offer God to earn God's favor.
Therefore, there is actually very little that separates "us" from those on the street whether they are addicts, alcoholics, or simply homeless. We have all made bad choices that have contributed to the screwedupness of our lives. Where then is our hope?
Read 2 Corinthians 8:9
The Gospel of Jesus is that Jesus himself became physically poor to identify with a people that he loves. He also lowered himself to becoming spiritually poor by dying on the cross, taking our sin and giving his righteousness to cover our sins. Jesus became poor to redeem the poor. The Gospel of Jesus is only understood and accepted by those who see themselves as in need of His grace. Those that think they have it together, will not know this grace.
As bearers of God's grace and as those who are continually in need of his grace, we can identify with the physically and spiritually poor much like Jesus identified himself with us. We can relate to the poor as fellow beggars who have found the Bread of Life. Our ministry then does not become one of pride and self righteousness but of humility and grace.
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