Jesus came down from the mountain with them and stood on a large area of level ground. A great company of his disciples and a huge crowd of people from all around Judea and Jerusalem and the area around Tyre and Sidon joined him there. They came to hear him and to be healed from their diseases, and those bothered by unclean spirits were healed. The whole crowd wanted to touch him, because power was going out from him and he was healing everyone.
Jesus raised his eyes to his disciples and said:
“Happy are you who are poor,
because God’s kingdom is yours.
Happy are you who hunger now,
because you will be satisfied.
Happy are you who weep now,
because you will laugh.
Happy are you when people hate you, reject you, insult you, and condemn your name as evil because of the Human One. Rejoice when that happens! Leap for joy because you have a great reward in heaven. Their ancestors did the same things to the prophets.
But how terrible for you who are rich,
because you have already received your comfort.
How terrible for you who have plenty now,
because you will be hungry.
How terrible for you who laugh now,
because you will mourn and weep.
How terrible for you when all speak well of you.
Their ancestors did the same things to the false prophets. (Luke 6:17-26, CEB)
What makes you happy?
I know being poor, hungry, or weeping really doesn’t make me happy.
Those things make me wonder how I have messed up and don’t have the resources to get food or help. But is it always my fault?
If you are blessed with resources to get your needs covered and then have a surplus, what should you do?
If you have plenty, invite others or give the plenty away. If you laugh at those who are struggling, you are not loving others.
We need to be a blessing as we have been blessed.
Love like Jesus.
Loving People. Loving God.
aSacredRebel 