SCRIPTURE: Luke 6:17-23
The people that were attracted to Jesus were the needy, the hungry, the sad, the hated.
Jesus encourages them with hope, assuring them that Gd’s kingdom is for them!
God hates injustice and oppression and cruelty and abuse, and His heart goes to those who experience it.
I know for myself, my heart goes out to those in misery and pain – how much more our perfect Father in heaven?
But God goes further; not only His heart, but His whole self goes out to them.
Jesus is God’s self coming to the needy, the hungry, the sad, the hated, the sick, the oppressed.
At this point Jesus does not interview them, to see if they are worthy – they reach out and He helps them.
That’s the point, it is not the worthy that God loves (who is worthy?), but the broken and humble and desperate.
We tend to think of the rich, the healthy, the happy as the blessed ones (what makes you say ‘I’m so blessed’?).
But Jesus reverses this: the real blessing is God’s smiling face and loving presence through tough times.
What makes me blessed… that God knows me, loves me, cares for me, helps me, no matter what my circumstances.
Blessed are those who know this!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I am not as needy or sad or hated as these people, but I do need You… and I’m desperate without You. Thanks You for the blessing of knowing that no matter what, You are with me, You love me, You will help me! I am blessed!
Jesus follower
trying to find His way
Observations/Application
A large crowd of his disciples – followers – and a great number of people. They had heard and wanted to hear and be healed. Word and deed, Spirits driven away. All through Him. Those who had need came and sought Him. Not the righteous but those who ‘needed a doctor.’
Here the words of Matthew are found also – being blessed. Why?
As small children would put it – Jesus is the answer. Whether poor, hungry, sorrowing, unloved – if you are His child then the reward is the kingdom both now and forevermore.
Happiness is found in the Saviour.
Why the following?
Jesus was and still is the answer.
Prayer
Help me at all times to live for You. Enable me by Your Spirit to be a champion of the cross.
O Jesus, I have promised
To serve thee to the end;
Be thou for ever near me,
My Master and my Friend:
I shall not fear the battle
If thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway
If thou wilt be my guide.
O let me feel thee near me:
The world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle,
The tempting sounds I hear;
My foes are ever near me,
Around me and within;
But, Jesus, draw thou nearer,
And shield my soul from sin.
O let me hear thee speaking
In accents clear and still,
Above the storms of passion,
The murmurs of self-will;
O speak to reassure me,
To hasten or control;
O speak, and make me listen,
Thou guardian of my soul.
O Jesus, thou hast promised
To all who follow thee,
That where thou art in glory
There shall thy servant be;
And, Jesus, I have promised
To serve thee to the end:
O give me grace to follow,
My Master and my friend.
O let me see thy foot-marks,
And in them plant mine own;
My hope to follow duly
Is in thy strength alone:
O guide me, call me, draw me,
Uphold me to the end;
And then in heaven receive me,
My Saviour and my friend.