February 16, 2025 Text: Luke 6:17-26
Dear Friends in Christ,
Charles Schultz was the syndicated cartoonist who delighted millions with his Peanuts comic strip. He wrote a book entitled, “Happiness Is . . . “ For Linus, “Happiness is…a warm blanket”; for Snoopy, “Happiness is…a full dish of food.” How would you answer that question, “Happiness is….?”
In our Gospel for today Jesus speaks about being “blessed” or “happy.” But it looks a little different than how the world defines “happy.” The blessings of which Jesus speaks are centered in the cross and open tomb and a life of cross bearing for His sake. Let’s take a few minutes this morning to ponder what makes us happy and what challenges us. In your life do you have . . . .
“MORE BLESSING OR WOE?”
The beginning of our text shows large crowds coming to Jesus to hear him and to be cured of their diseases. Luke even says, “power came out from him and healed them all.” Now that would be a blessing.
This winter of 2025 has been full of sickness. Most of us have been touched with something. When you are sick and feel crappy, it is hard to remember when you felt well. But eventually you start feeling better and you thank God for his healing. So, we can relate to these crowds. They want to be near Jesus because he has given them a great gift – their health. Both physically and mentally. With this captive audience before Him, ready to listen to Him because of what He has just done, He shares his Word with the crowd.
Jesus starts on the positive side – blessings. But telling us we are blessed because we are poor? Ah, Jesus, are you sure you know what you are talking about? He does. We are poor in spirit. We see the need for a Savior. “Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to the cross I cling.”
The next one – hunger. Again, how can this positive? Stomach growling. Body weak. But the followers of Jesus hunger for the bread of life and thirst for the living water of salvation. We look in faith to the Christ who hungered and thirsted for us and for our salvation. Jesus fills us with Word and Sacrament.
We are blessed if we weep now, because we shall laugh. I think we all understand this one pretty good. We have our moments of crying, but our moments of laughter are greater. Christ “will wipe every tear from their eyes.” (Rev. 21:4). Christ gives us so much to be joyous about. Laughter is great for physical health and mental health. Smile, the Lord loves you.
The last blessing can again cause some confusion. Who wants to be hated and reviled and excluded? But we are to rejoice and leap for joy. Our reward is eternal. Our blessing is heaven. Perfection forever and ever. No more struggle or hunger or weeping.
The woes can stop us in our tracks. How do you get a horse to stop? Whoa! Spelled differently but the same concept. The woes are God’s reminder that He condemns those who live for today, neglecting the ways of our Lord and the care of His people. When pride and self-interest allure you, turn to the Lord in repentance. Daily He provides for all your needs and forgives you by grace.
I pray you have more blessing than woe in your life. Today is that wonderful reminder that because of faith in Jesus as Savior, salvation and forgiveness our yours. “Happiness Is….?” You can complete the sentence now . . . right?
Amen.