The Unburdened

“But I say to you that listen, 

Love your enemies, 

do good to those who hate you, 

bless those who curse you, 

pray for those who abuse you.

(from Luke 6:20-31)

For 30 years I stood before a congregation on Sunday leading worship.

I saw all types of people: the poor, the grieving, the comfortable, the wealthy. 

When the text for the Sunday included the Beatitudes, I felt a little odd trying to reconcile a blessing in being poor, hungry, hated, crying, or outcast.

Since the word blessed comes from the Greek word makarios, meaning “unburdened” or “satisfied” I feel those words make more sense: unburdened are the poor, satisfied are the hungry.

In the same way the word "woe" comes from the Greek ouai, meaning something like "heads up!" "Heads up you rich people!!!

It's as though Jesus is saying, "heads up to you living comfortably, things are about to change."

Heads up and consider what happens if the things you assume are advantages are actually counterfeit blessings.

Don't be tricked by them!

What Jesus seems to be saying to the crowd is that things operate differently in God's reign and you can see how it works by watching me.

The people crying and living with loss, grief and hopelessness, you will not be forgotten but will experience joy.

The satisfied among you can share immediately God's kingdom, but only as much as you take part in Jesus' calling to truly are for those who are poor, hungry, hated, crying, or outcast.

What a blessing that is, to live with people who share the values as Jesus, to "do to others as you would have them do to you".