Daily Devotion for Lent - Day 10

Scripture Reading: Luke 6:1-49

Within today's chapter is a movement toward compassion as a priority.  We see it prioritized over the religious observance of the sabbath which would have been hotly debated.  Of course, prophets such as Micah had already held good behavior over religious observance.

As Jesus moves into the Sermon on the Plain in verse 20, we see attitudes in the blessings and woes that likely would fit with a revolutionary leader (as they expected the Messiah to be).

As we observe Russia advancing into the Ukraine, we see many of the invaded peoples as poor as they leave behind all their resources, hungry as their jobs and income are disrupted, and weeping as loved ones are killed by the Russian march inland.  If Russia were to occupy Ukraine, we can imagine what the feelings of the Ukrainians would be toward the occupying army.

That's likely what many of the people in Judea thought about the Romans.  And those who were rich likely kept their wealth by working with Rome.  Those who were full likely made compromises in their jobs in some form or fashion.  And those who were laughing during oppression were not in solidarity with their brothers and sisters who had lost much.

So, the blessings and woes would have been a great crowd pleaser - a great open to his sermon.  But then he hits them with an about-face: love your enemies.  There were no doubts as to who he was talking about.  Do we see how compassion that is earlier prioritized comes around again?

In a polarized world, you can insert the opposite of your own views be they political, theological or ideological.  If Christians took this message seriously, we might start showing the fruit that Jesus was talking about.  What does it mean to create a beloved community where compassion takes priority?

Oh, Jesus, I wish you would go back to the easy stuff where I am blessed and my enemies are cursed!

Prayer for the day:

Lord, we seek to be your disciples today just as you called people to follow you so many years ago.  May we remember that compassion is a defining characteristic of who you call us to be.  And when we see people that flout our conventions, help us to open our eyes so that we may see them as you do.  And may this new insight turn our weeping into laughing.  Amen.

Photo posted by Christopher DustanBurgh via Flickr.com.  Used under the Creative Commons license.