"Blessed are you when you're in crisis..."

There are two crises spreading through our world today – COVID-19, and the global financial crisis. Both are life threatening, in their own way: a virus poses the threat of a deadly illness, and the market melt down poses a threat to life-long provision. 

[But Jesus] lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said:

Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied.

Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. (Luke 6.20-21)

Poverty. Hunger. Sorrow.  These are three human experiences that most people work hard to avoid. These are not normally personal life-goals, but are seen as life-threatening attacks. In fact, most communities in our society work to end poverty, provide food for the hungry, and give help to those who are suffering.

So why does Jesus seem to give these experiences preferential status?

In fact, he says we are “blessed” when we are poor, hungry, or grieving.  Does God prefer human suffering?  What is going on here?

Jesus is using a provocative teaching technique to make a vivid contrast between our experiences and God’s promises. He wants to draw our attention right into our pain and fear, so to offer an alternative view of that pain and need.

Jesus’ words in this passage are paraphrased in The Message Bible: “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.”

In other words, our pain and loss are places where God’s presence works best. They are avenues for hope, not dead-ends of futility.

Looking at his disciples, he said: "Blessed are you…”

Looking at his disciples, he said: “Blessed are you…” Luke 6.20

A simple posture, and a personal word – Jesus sat and looked at his disciples, and he spoke to them, beginning with the well known (and often misunderstood) phrase, “Blessed are you…”

Such a basic way of being human: to look at someone and speak.  Let’s not miss that – Jesus sat and spoke personally, and directly, to his people.

What a powerfully simple picture of God! 

Would God, the Infinite One, the Holy One, actually want to sit with us and speak with us? Jesus’ life is a resounding answer, “Yes!”

Just as Jesus did this in Galilee in the early 1^st century, so he wants to do this in our lives today, here and now. Just as Jesus was intentional and personal with his people, so he wants to be intentional and personal with you and me.

But here is the question: If Jesus wants to sit with me and speak to me, does this only happen during private times of prayer and contemplation? Is Jesus’ presence and message only relegated to a personal “quiet time?” Or…can I pay attention to him, even in the midst of a busy day, and hear his “still small voice?” Can I hear him in my daily routines, meetings, chores, and conversations? 

This is the question I am asking during this season of “Lent” – how can I retune or recalibrate my heart to be a better receptor of God’s Spirit and Word?

And, that is the point of “Lent” – to retune our hearts and minds to Jesus.