JESUS CAME TO…
1. – “PROCLAIM GOOD NEWS TO THE POOR”– it is “spiritual poverty” that is in mind here. The word,”poor,” is “ptochos, “it comes from a verb that means “to cringe” “to shrink back,” or “to cower.” It is the used of a beggar, cringing in the shadows. In Classical Greek, it was used of a person who was totally destitute, who was crouched in a corner, begging, in need of someone outside of themselves to meet their need! It was used of a beggar who would put one hand over his face to cover himself from being recognized due to the shame he felt and with the other hand held out for help! This person is totally destitute, totally bankrupt, dependent on others to meet their need, at their mercy. The LORD Jesus came to proclaim good news to the spiritually bankrupt and spiritually impoverished. Having no means within them to be right with God. Totally bankrupt spiritually we all are and He has come to proclaim good news for our spiritual poverty!