Reflecting on Luke 6:17-26
"Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God." (Luke 6:20)Every year at Thanksgiving we remind ourselves of how blessed we are.
We point to the good things in our lives as a sign of our blessing.
We are rich by comparison, and living in comfort.
We are well fed, and often enjoy moments of pleasure and laughter.
For the most part we are well-spoken of, or at least not looked down on.
Interestingly, these are the kinds of things Jesus warns us about.
They are not evidence that God is with us, or for us, or pleased with us.
Nor is the struggle of others a sign that God is against them.
In fact, according to Jesus, the truth is greater than this.
God’s desire is that EVERYONE be blessed, not just a select few.
Those the world sees less blessed are actually more blessed.
And those who seem to be more blessed, may not be so blessed afterall.
There is a great comfort in these words, especially for those who are poor, etc.
I think of the people of Haiti, where the misery and struggle is so bad.
People might look at that nation and say, ‘they are under a curse’.
But Jesus says that they are under the blessing of God, for theirs is the kingdom.
If you struggle, if life is hard, if you experience pain or injustice or abuse…
Take heart, God is not against you, He is actually with you.
This is what Jesus shows us: Jesus (God with us) is closed to those who struggle.
More than that, God in Jesus suffers and dies with them… and overcomes for them!
At the same time there is conviction in this.
I fall more under the second list of woes (warnings).
My advantages do not mean that God is against me.
But neither do they mean I am more blessed than others.
They can actually become barriers or distractions to my relationship with God.
Jesus is stressing God’s heart to be a blessing, not just to be blessed.
What I have, what I experience, are entrusted to me for a purpose.
God disperses gifts among His people to be shared with others.
My advantages are not a privilege, they are a responsibility.
“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” (Luke 12:48)
Jesus is calling me to join Him in being with and blessing those who struggle.
My advantages are not meant to keep me happy and comfortable until Jesus returns.
Yes, they can be called blessings, but they are blessings with a purpose.
“Freely you have received; freely give.” (Matthew 10:8)
When I am not freely giving, I am actually missing out on the blessing of God.
Who are the poor, the grieving, the struggling, the excluded around me?
How am I joining with Jesus in blessing them?
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, You have freely graced me for a reason, so that I may freely grace others. Help me not to horde this grace, while making it hard for others to experience it. Much has been given to me... thank You. Much is expected of me...
Remember the song – ‘Count your many blessings name them one by one . . . ..?’ Those blessings need to be shared. They are a gift from the Lord to be used for His purposes. He gives freely and I need to do the same. I need to be a blessing unto others – an instrument of His peace.