Topical Bible: The Poor: Christ Delivers

◄ The Poor: Christ Delivers ►

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The theme of Christ delivering the poor is a profound and recurring motif throughout the Bible, reflecting God's deep concern for the marginalized and His redemptive plan through Jesus Christ. The Scriptures consistently reveal God's heart for the poor and His desire to bring justice, provision, and spiritual deliverance to those in need.

Old Testament Foundations

The Old Testament lays the groundwork for understanding God's compassion for the poor. The Law of Moses includes numerous provisions to protect and provide for the impoverished. For instance, Leviticus 19:9-10 instructs landowners to leave the gleanings of their harvest for the poor and the foreigner. This reflects God's command for His people to care for those in need.

The Psalms frequently echo this sentiment, portraying God as a defender and deliverer of the poor. Psalm 72:12-14 declares, "For he will deliver the needy who cry out and the afflicted who have no helper. He will take pity on the poor and needy and save the lives of the oppressed. He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight."

Prophetic Promises

The prophets also speak of a coming deliverer who will bring justice to the poor. Isaiah 61:1 prophesies, "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners." This passage foreshadows the mission of the Messiah, who will bring both physical and spiritual deliverance.

Christ's Ministry

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ embodies the fulfillment of these Old Testament promises. His ministry is marked by a profound concern for the poor and marginalized. In Luke 4:18-19 , Jesus reads from the scroll of Isaiah in the synagogue, declaring, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor."

Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus consistently reaches out to the poor and downtrodden. He heals the sick, feeds the hungry, and associates with those whom society often overlooks. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus pronounces blessings on the poor in spirit, promising them the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:3).

Spiritual Deliverance

Christ's deliverance of the poor extends beyond physical needs to address spiritual poverty. In His parables and teachings, Jesus emphasizes the importance of spiritual wealth over material riches. In Mark 10:21 , Jesus tells the rich young ruler, "Go, sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me." This highlights the call to prioritize spiritual riches and generosity.

The Early Church

The early church continues Christ's mission to care for the poor. Acts 4:34-35 describes how the believers shared their possessions so that "there were no needy ones among them." The apostle Paul also emphasizes the importance of remembering the poor in his letters, as seen in Galatians 2:10 , "They only asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do."

Eternal Perspective

The Bible presents an eternal perspective on poverty and deliverance. Revelation 7:16-17 offers a vision of the ultimate deliverance, where "never again will they hunger, and never will they thirst; nor will the sun beat down upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd. He will lead them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

In summary, the biblical narrative consistently portrays Christ as the deliverer of the poor, fulfilling God's promises of justice, provision, and spiritual redemption. Through His life, teachings, and the ongoing work of the church, Christ's compassion for the poor is a testament to God's unchanging love and His kingdom's values.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 72:12
For he shall deliver the needy when he cries; the poor also, and him that has no helper.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

He Confirms what Has Been Already Said, by the Parable of the Rich ...
... a kingdom; and shows that when the Son delivers up the ... we are the kingdom of Christ,
and in Christ's kingdom. ... fulness of His Godhead, Who was made poor for us ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xii he confirms what.htm

Christ, the Believer's Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification and ...
... Christ's righteousness delivers believers from the guilt of it ... joy'; unto you that
believe in Christ a Savior is ... rejoice at the conversion of poor sinners; for ...
/.../christ the believers wisdom righteousness.htm

The Wearied Christ
... needing food, or rest, or sleep, until they have achieved their purpose, poor and
ignoble ... To be near Christ, and to desire to live for Him, delivers us from ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the wearied christ.htm

Christ's Prayer for his People
... Never shall we value grace so much as when we see the evil front which it delivers
us, never shall we ... "I'ma poor sinner and ... But Jesus Christ is my all in all". ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/christs prayer for his people.htm

Christ's Summary of his Work
... And it delivers men from all their creeping dreads, from ... a plain and absolute truth
that the divine Christ can come ... abide in the narrow room of our poor hearts ...
/.../christs summary of his work.htm

Joy in Salvation
... to think that there should be a salvation at all for such poor souls as ... of ages,
throughout all the cycles of years that interpose ere Christ delivers up the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 62 1916/joy in salvation.htm

Sabbath Cure at Bethesda.
... to know more of Him and to enjoy His society, as the poor demoniac would ... his life,
but an instance also of the willingness with which Christ delivers us even ...
/.../xii sabbath cure at bethesda.htm

The Character of the Persons for whom this Rest is Designed.
... to the sinner; and the sinner delivers up himself ... We should never have felt Christ's
tender heart, if we ... and heavy laden, hungry and thirsty, poor and contrite ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter iv the character of.htm

Jesus the Good Shepherd.
... Therefore, in pity for this poor sheep, and in indignation at those who thus assumed
authority, Jesus ... This is the real danger from which Christ delivers us. ...
/.../xxi jesus the good shepherd.htm

Christ's Hospital
... Christ loves such as you are, you poor, desponding, doubting ... Then, when others are
brought to Christ, or even if ... an end to their tyranny, and delivers those who ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/christs hospital.htm