“Bad news for most people”
By Rev. Michael Stonhouse
Meditation – Tuesday, November 1, 2022
Luke 6:20-31 (Forward, p. 3) CEV p. 1064
It is no small wonder that most people either prefer the version of the Beatitudes found in Matthew’s Gospel rather than Luke’s version as found here, or that they prefer simply to gloss over or ignore this passage all together. It certainly does not convey good news to many readers. Here I think especially of those in the affluent Western world, those who lead comfortable, satisfying and peaceful lives. To be told that those who are well-off, well-fed, successful or highly esteemed, or who live in comfort and ease are in for trouble, is not exactly the kind of thing that they want to hear.
And then, to be told that they should treat their enemies, those who abuse or misuse them, those who would take advantage of them, with love and mercy is rather unsettling. And, to go further and actually allow themselves ‘to be trodden upon’, is even worse. All of this goes totally against what our upbringing and our culture tells us to do. And, this is not just true for us either. All of this was entirely ‘counter cultural’ for Jesus’ audience. No, for them, retaliation and vengeance were the name of the game.
But then, let us step back from this scene for a moment. Let us ask ourselves whether there is anyone who has actually lived out this model of non-violence, non-resistance. Yes, there have been a few that are known to history, people like Gandhi or Martin Luther King. But where have they taken their inspiration? Almost universally it appears to be our Lord Himself, Jesus Christ.
He is the epitome of this kind of lifestyle. He was poor, relying on the generosity of others, and without any sort of permanent, settled, secure place He could call home. He allowed Himself to be abused and debased, even to the point of torture and a very painful and difficult death. He had anything but an easy or comfortable life. And, He did all this simply for our sakes, for our sakes as broken, needy human beings. He did this simply because He loved and cared for us.
However, in saying this, we need to be mindful of a couple of other things. Firstly, He did not neglect the physical and spiritual needs of Himself, His disciples or His audience. He fed the crowds when they were hungry. He made sure that His disciples had ‘some time away’ after a hectic time of ministry. He slept when He was tired, and He made sure that He took the time to connect up with His Father or to grieve the loss of His cousin.
And, He did not ‘roll over and play dead’ by giving in to every demand on His time and resources. The folks in at least one Galilean city would have been more than happy for Him to just stay there and cater to their needs, but no, He told them that He had to move on, that other people needed Him as well. And with Herod Antipas, He refused to give into Herod’s inflated ego and curiosity and perform some miracle for him--like some trained show dog. Yes, for all His giving and self-sacrifice, Jesus still had some well-defined, well-established boundaries.
So indeed, we can look to Jesus for an example of how to live out today’s passage. However, we must remember that we, none of us, are Jesus. We are probably not called to go to the cross and be crucified. And, of course, our situations are not the same as those either of Jesus or of the disciples He addressed in today’s passage. And so, we must take the time to be with Jesus and listen to Him and allow ourselves to be led by Him. That is the only way we can truly know how to live. Amen.
Forward notes: “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh” (verse 21).
“I begin this month’s devotional journey with a confession. This past year has been, for my wife and me, a period of authentic suffering. We have grappled with mental illness, significant past trauma, and COVID-19. In the last six months, I have ridden in ambulances and slept on emergency room floors. And in the midst of this chaos, I have sought refuge in the gospels. Despite being raised in the faith, these texts have been renewed in my suffering. I have rediscovered the peace, promises, and even the wit of Christ. I will even admit to falling asleep many nights with my Bible on the bed next to me, as if its presence might ward off my despair.
“Today’s reading feels like it was spoken directly to me. While that’s not always a theologically stable way to read the scriptures, for me, in the present, I hear the voice of my Saviour in the words.”
Moving Forward: “Can you hear the voice of Jesus in your suffering?”