[This is my
paraphrase of Luke 6:17-38 and Matthew 5:1-12]
Crowds came to
touch Jesus. They knew healing power
flowed through Him. All they needed was
a touch from God’s prophet. If only they
could reach Him.
Jesus saw the
desperation. He knew suffering brought
them. Yet, He felt the spiritual void in
the population. They wanted a quick fix,
magic not the presence of God. They
desired a change in their outer situation, but did not see any need to change
their inner being. If only He could
reach them.
The healer
turned to his disciples, and said:
“Happy are the
spiritually obedient (meek), because God gives them the earth.
“Happy are the
spiritually loyal (poor), because they live in the Kingdom
of Heaven
“Happy are
holy hearts (sanctified), because their eyes see God.
“Happy are
those who hunger for righteousness, because God fills them.
“Happy are
those who mourn for lost righteousness, because God will give laughter.
“Happy are
those who make peace, because God proclaims them His children.
“So, be happy
when people hate, exclude, and reject you as evil, because you follow the Son
of Man. They treated the prophets the
same. Rejoice! Great is your heavenly reward.
“Mourn for
those greedy for wealth, because God will end their comfort.
“Mourn for the
satiated, because God will dry up their food supply.
“Mourn for
those who live to party, because God will give them reason to despair.
“Mourn for all
in high standing, because they are like their fathers who lavished affection on
false prophets.
“Hear
this! Love your enemies. Treat them well. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who smear your
reputation. When they strike you,
willingly let them strike you again. If
you only love those who love you, than how are you different from any
unbeliever? Even the most degenerate
person does good things for those who respond likewise.
“Give
generously to those who ask, and do not expect a return. If they steal from you, freely give them
something of higher value. Do these
things because you want to be treated that way.
“Hear
this! Act like children of the One
God. Be merciful. He is gentle with those who do evil. He gives without expecting interest or
requiring repayment. However, God judges
and condemns those who mistreat others.
So, do not judge selfishly. Do
not condemn without empathy. Free people
of your expectations, so that you can be free.
God repays generosity with abundance.”