Meditate. How are you “hungry”…physically or spiritually?
Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said, "God blesses you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours. God blesses you who are hungry now, for you will be satisfied. God blesses you who weep now, for in due time you will laugh. What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man. When that happens, be happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, their ancestors treated the ancient prophets that same way. What sorrow awaits you who are rich, for you have your only happiness now. What sorrow awaits you who are fat and prosperous now, for a time of awful hunger awaits you. What sorrow awaits you who laugh now, for your laughing will turn to mourning and sorrow. What sorrow awaits you who are praised by the crowds, for their ancestors also praised false prophets. Luke 6:20-26 (Underlined for emphasis.)
This may have
been Luke’s version of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount that as recorded in chapters
five through seven of the book of Matthew.
Jesus words recorded on hunger there are…
God blesses those who hunger and thirst
for justice (or righteousness), for they will be satisfied. Matthew 5:6
Hunger is such
a driving force. When you are hungry…whether for food, for fellowship with
family or friends, for a reading a good book, for time with God, or for joy in
your life…you are focused on that one thing that will satisfy your desire. In Jesus
words we are promised when we hunger for righteousness—that right living, whatever
is right or just and conforms to the will of God—we will be satisfied. We won’t
have to search any longer. That is good. Ask and you will receive. In this
passage there are “promises” that are not very encouraging:
Sorrow awaits…the rich…the fat and
prosperous…those who laugh…those who are popular and those who praised false prophets.
Sorrow. Don’t
we have enough of it without being promised more? Joy and sorrow. Those contrasts
are repeated in the Old and New Testaments. Below are three examples. First is
from the book of Esther when the days of Purium were established for the Jews
when they celebrated a wicked scheme turned into good. In the book of Isaiah
the millennial kingdom is prophesied with the joy and prosperity that will
occur in the land of Israel at that time. Lastly, below, are the words of Jesus
to His disciples when they asked about His return. Read all of these scriptures
in context to fully grasp their meaning and significance.
-
He told them to celebrate these days with
feasting and gladness and by giving gifts of food to each other and presents to
the poor. This would commemorate a time when the Jews gained relief from their
enemies, when their sorrow was turned into gladness and their mourning into
joy. Esther 9:22
-
Those who have been ransomed by the LORD will
return. They will enter Jerusalem singing, crowned with everlasting joy. Sorrow
and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness. Isaiah
35:10
-
So you have sorrow now, but I will see you
again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy. John
16:22
No one can rob you of that joy. What a great promise. It is good to remember that joy can be experienced even in times of mourning as in the Isaiah 35:10 scripture. Consider when you’ve experienced joy in your life. Would it have meant as much if not contrasted with a hardship or sadness?
Is your relationship with the Lord characterized by joy? Does time spent with Him make your day a better one? For me, my attitude is always better when I’ve spent time with Jesus. I think I need more of Him…even now.
Prayer ~
Jesus, fill my heart and life with Your joy—that it may overflow. As You told
Your disciples…I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my
love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my
Father's commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so
that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! This is my
commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no
greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. John 15:9-13
Pray for Peace for Jerusalem.
...as seen in Israel.
Verses of Salvation ~ The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, for the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the LORD's favor has come, and with it, the day of God's anger against their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory. They will rebuild the ancient ruins, repairing cities destroyed long ago. They will revive them, though they have been deserted for many generations. Foreigners will be your servants. They will feed your flocks and plow your fields and tend your vineyards. You will be called priests of the LORD, ministers of our God. You will feed on the treasures of the nations and boast in their riches. Instead of shame and dishonor, you will enjoy a double share of honor. You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours. Isaiah 61:1-7 (Underlined for emphasis.)
Friday’s Feasting at the King’s Table
We can’t live on bread alone. Have a couple of scrambled egg and
bacon with that bread. Scrambled eggs are like a comfort food…good anytime of
the day.
Think laughing, not mocking
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