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DAVID'S EMAIL BIBLE STUDY:
Jesus as TEACHER
A.
SUMMARY... With his increasing popularity on the stump, Jesus attracts crowds. On this particular day people flock to him for "healing", both physical and spiritual. People sensed that "power was coming from him" (Luke 6:19). Then, Jesus gives his sermon on the mount. It is a shorter version than the more famous Matthew version, and with some differences. Today's verses highlight a contrast between four blessings and their opposites. The blessings are popularly known as the "beatitudes", and their opposites are expressed as "woes", or warnings. Jesus contrasts the poor and the rich, the hungry and the well-fed, the weeping and the laughing, the persecuted and the popular. In brief, those who get the short end in life prosper in the long run. Don't reach for cheap gains, cheap satisfaction. "Great is your reward in heaven", and even before. Count on the former; don't give up on the latter. .
1. Rich vs Poor. Jesus says "blessed (how happy!!) are the poor; (and) woe to the rich" (verses 20 and 24). Ok... now what? Is Jesus, God, and the Bible anti-rich? Gee, I hope not, since I'm in the top 5% of the wealthy in the world. But the Bible is definitely cautious about how people get wealth and use it. Greed, cheating, injustice, mistreatment, stealing, and selfishness are all condemned. Working hard, succeeding, investing, harvesting, profiting, and sharing are all affirmed. Jesus' key point is to watch out for your priorities. If you think riches or popularity or power are your be-all and end-all, don't be surprised if that is all you end up with. Sooner or later we all find out what is truly important. A popular misquote has Jesus saying "money is the root of all evil". He actually says "the LOVE OF MONEY" is the root of our problems. Money is perspective, money as a resource, money as a blessing, money as a product of good work, money as a vehicle for compassion - all to the good. Money as your god? Trouble. FYI, in Matthew's Sermon on the Mountain/Beatitudes it is "blessed are the poor IN SPIRIT... blessed are those who are HUNGRY for righteousness". It may be that Jesus said both, they are not contradictory. Matthew's emphasizes the spiritual needs, Luke the practical needs. Bottom line? Be careful with what you got, how you got it, and what you do with it.
2.
PERSECUTION comes with the territory. Jesus warns his followers that following him may not be popular. There can be a price to pay for standing up, speaking up, siding with the marginalized, doing the right thing, being aligned with Christ's teachings. I came across two great quotes: "A Christian should be completely fearless, absurdly happy, and constantly in trouble" ... and "I love how water, it keeps me clean!" Both quotes embrace the reality that being Christlike creates conflict with un-Christlikeness. Look at the current sexual harassment crisis, or see my pastoral letter on the topic. It is risky to be bold for your faith, for justice, fo the right thing for Christ's sake, he warns. We don't look for martyrdom. We don't lead with our chin. But we also cannot be afraid of the fray, or being unpopular, or the cost. Again fyi, persecution isn't just ancient Rome under Nero. It is China today, North Korea, much of the middle east and northern Africa, Myanmar, and Pakistan. And the price to be paid is not just in dollars, but in freedom, or blood.
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