Why Woe?

Luke 6:12-26
There are times when Jesus, in the words of the old expression, quits preaching and goes to meddling and a portion of our gospel reading for today seems to take us in that direction. “But woe to you who are rich,” says Jesus, “for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets” (Luke 6:24-26). In one fell swoop, Jesus manages to condemn the wealthy, the well-fed, the joyful, and those folks who have good reputations. Was that really necessary? Did he really need to risk alienating those who seem guilty of nothing more than being blessed?

Apparently so. But condemnation is probably the wrong term to use here. Jesus is really offering words of warning to people who may have become lost in their own circumstances. Wealth is not the point to life, Jesus is saying, nor is a full belly. In and of itself, joy is not a bad thing, but if it blinds us to the larger issues in life it can cause real harm. And anyone “who believes their own press clippings,” or who becomes infatuated with their own public image risks turning away from God’s will in an attempt to remain at the center of attention.

Let the rich recognize how blessed they are and embrace the opportunity to share from their own abundance. Let those with plenty to eat avoid gorging themselves and remember to provide for the hungry and neglected. Let those who are able to laugh share that joy with others. Let those who are highly regarded use their standing in the community to demonstrate a life of humble service and self-sacrifice. In these ways the blessings of God are multiplied many times over and become a source of wealth, sustenance, joy, and esteem for all.

Prayer: Lord, give us the strength to live as faithful disciples of your will in all that we do, for it is in Jesus’ name that we pray. Amen.

What’s the Connection?

Matthew 19:23-30

There is an exchange between Jesus and his disciples in our reading from Matthew today that seems somehow out of sync. “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’ When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astounded and said, ‘Then who can be saved?’” (Matthew 19:23-25). For some reason the disciples hear Jesus’ warning about the rich entering heaven and apply it to all people. Why would the disciples make such a connection? Why would they take Jesus’ words about the rich to apply to rich and poor, young and old, male and female alike?

Perhaps the disciples assume that Jesus is talking about wealthy people who are righteous, who actually strive for the kingdom of God. With resources to share and with opportunities to give such people could do much that was good. But if even they could not enter the kingdom, what hope would there be for the poor who have little to offer? In a song called “I’m Not Down” The Clash, a band from the 70’s and 80’s, ask a somewhat similar question:

If it's true that a rich man leads a sad life

That's what they say, from day to day

Then what do the poor do with their lives?

On Judgment Day, with nothing to say?

But here is the bottom line. Jesus has offered a warning about the dangers of wealth and the challenges of serving God and mammon. The truth is that even those who have little but who aspire to wealth can be as hindered in their lives of faith as those who possess riches and do not use them to God’s glory. Put another way, we all have those things we value, that we hold as precious. If we are not careful these items may come between us and God’s will for our lives. The disciples’ amazement is not without cause and perhaps helps us to remain focused on what is really important in our lives.

Prayer: Lord, help us to serve you with all we have and to put aside our regard for wealth and possessions. For it is in Jesus’ name that we pray. Amen.