Fill My Future With Vision
Luke 6:17-26
In Luke chapter 6, Jesus had a particular thing to say to people who were hungry, weeping, reviled, and poor.
“Blessed are you.”
I struggle with that, if I am going to be honest with all of you. Jesus’ brother James notably wrote (years after Jesus’ death) “If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that?” (James 2:15-16)
The church today is rightly accused of either being corrupt, or being hoarders of wealth they are not sharing with the poor. Now, there are countless examples that demonstrate how that is an unfair generalization. Churches across the world are on the forefront of the fight against poverty, hunger, disease, and hate.
Honestly, when I hear Jesus say, “Blessed are you who are poor/hungry/weeping, etc.” I find myself thinking of the tired script our politicians drag out during a tragedy in order to avoid discussing policy that might make that tragedy less frequenty and/or devastating. It is a valid criticism to find “thoughts and prayers” falling short of an appropriate response to rampant gun violence, or climate change-related disaster.
Of course, the crowd Jesus said this to in Luke had experienced healing miracles from Jesus. They possibly heard Jesus’ sayings differently, given their being newly healed and cleansed from unclean spirits. I wonder how we hear it today?
I know that I am not hungry, and in the grand scheme of things I am not really poor, I am not weeping as a victim of calamity, nor am I the object of widespread hate for my faith as a Christian. When I read Jesus’ words, Luke’s version of the Beatitudes, I think I hear a challenge in them.
“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours in the Kingdom of God.” How, exactly will the poor inherit the kingdom?
“Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled.” How, exactly, will hungry bellies be filled?
“Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.” How, exactly, will joy enter into places of sorrow?
For these three, the challenge is clear. If we aren’t hungry, we better get to work sharing food. If we aren’t poor, we better get to fighting poverty. If we aren’t weeping, we better be proclaiming the joy of God’s kin-dom here on earth! I think Jesus’ confidence comes from accepting that this is a possible reality when we are in it together to make it happen.
How can you help Jesus’ vision for the future come to life today?
