This morning started like any other morning. I got up and read the Bible, this time I'm in Luke 6 reading about what a great guy Jesus was, yadda yadda. Then things took a turn...
Errrr. To be honest I identify more with the latter half. Hmm, surely Jesus had some hidden subtext that lets me off the hook. Let's plough on.
Oh COME ON, this is just unrealistic. You expect me to willingly take damage from bad guys, to get hurt? .... Wait, don't answer that. ... Maybe it's just a suggestion....
Ah ... er ... ow! ow ow ow! Gaaah! Help!
Looking at his disciples, he said:
"Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
Blessed are you who hunger now,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.
Blessed are you when men hate you,
when they exclude you and insult you
and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.
Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.
But woe to you who are rich,
for you have already received your comfort.
Woe to you who are well fed now,
for you will go hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now,
for you will mourn and weep.
Woe to you when all men speak well of you,
for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets.
Errrr. To be honest I identify more with the latter half. Hmm, surely Jesus had some hidden subtext that lets me off the hook. Let's plough on.
But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.
If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Oh COME ON, this is just unrealistic. You expect me to willingly take damage from bad guys, to get hurt? .... Wait, don't answer that. ... Maybe it's just a suggestion....
Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.
Ah ... er ... ow! ow ow ow! Gaaah! Help!
When I think of "the wise man build his house upon the rock" I usually think of the charming Sunday School ditty, but this morning it gives me a feeling of being mugged. Maybe how the disciples felt as they said "Lord, increase our faith!"