"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.

Rather than looking to God first for hope and security, how easily I can look to other things that are inherently good – like finances and health and happiness – in place of looking to God first. I can seek comfort and security first in bank balances or stress-free living, and when they are threatened, I feel threatened!

The term “cheap knock-offs” come to mind. Even the good things that God provides can become cheap knock-off gods – cheap imitations of the real thing.  We want to settle for the cheap imitation rather than seek the real God. We can seek more money, more creature comforts, and the latest entertainment to satisfy our need for security and peace.

Consider the prophesy in Jeremiah.

Then shall the young women rejoice in the dance,
and the young men and the old shall be merry.
I will turn their mourning into joy;
I will comfort them, and give them gladness for sorrow.
I will feast the soul of the priests with abundance,
and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness,

declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 31:13–14, ESV)

The Lord is speaking here: he is making a promise that his people will be satisfied with his goodness!  This is a picture of the new heaven and new earth that Jesus promises, but it is also a promise of the "first fruits" that Jesus offers today. 

Jesus announced the coming of his rule and his reign in our day – that his “Kingdom” is among us and within us (see Matthew 12.28).  And he declared that our destiny is a new heaven and new earth, where we will not suffer nor feel hunger nor experience grief or loss (Revelation 21.1-4).

So we are “blessed” when we look at our current sufferings in the light of Jesus’ present and eventual victory.  Because of Jesus, God is our source and our security. He promises to satisfy us with his “goodness.” And, we can look forward to the final end to suffering when his kingdom comes in the end of days.