Luke 6:17-26

There’s a link to the passage right here if you don’t have it handy:

https://www.bible.com/bible/116/LUK.6.NLT#:~:text=17When%20they,praised%20false%20prophets.

Luke tells us that on that same day, (the one after the all-nighter with God to select his apostles), Jesus and a bunch of his disciples found a level area on which to congregate. By now Jesus had, quite frankly, become a celebrity. He was the grist for every rumour mill on the east coast. And so, for as many reasons as there were people in the crowd, they came. 

Some just wanted to hear this popular and controversial new voice. 

Some heard he could heal diseases, physical and spiritual. 

Some probably just went because their friends were going. I don’t know. I’m sure FOMO was a thing back then too. 

Luke’s description of the crowd demonstrates how little people have changed over the centuries – everybody was trying to touch him. Power was coming from him and healing everyone. Ok, that’s not your typical red carpet event, but I can see how it would also cause a mob scene.

And Jesus was a perceptive guy. He knew most people who came didn’t really want him, they just wanted something from him. But he was there for his disciples, for those who wanted to follow him. So, in the chaos of mixed motivations and distorted priorities, Jesus taught his followers about the things that really matter.

The object lesson was surging around them. Some came because they were in need, hungry, sick, impoverished, in mourning. Some came flaunting their wealth and privilege. “Jesus? Yes, I heard him at the lakeside gathering on Thursday. I had the staff pack a lovely picnic, and I found the cutest sun hat! Wait, I took a selfie with him. Let me show you.”

When a disciple looked offended by the approach of a particularly unkempt beggar, Jesus took the opportunity to teach them by cupping that filthy little face in both hands. You can picture it, can’t you? His smile is so entirely genuine as he says, “my kingdom is for you.” Perhaps it was as he put his arm around the shoulder of a mother who had recently lost her daughter that he promised that those who weep now will laugh again one day.  Following a disciple’s envious gaze toward the group with the catered picnic and stylish attire, he explains, “It’s not worth living for, you know. It doesn’t last.”

To those who came for Jesus, not just for what he could give them, Jesus had so much to say.

His perspective is so unlike anything that existed before him, or anything we have seen since. The things that he considers blessed, the stuff he warns us about, it’s not the story you hear on social media or any media.

One thing I love to see in these stories of Jesus dealing with huge diverse crowds of people is that you don’t hear him yelling, “I’m not here to heal your ingrown toenail idiot! Stop asking me for stupid stuff and listen!” He actually understands what it is to be human. Yes, we have profound, eternal, big picture needs. And he wants to meet them. But he’s also been hungry. He’s been tired. He’s had a sinus infection. He’s been discouraged by the way people misread him. And he actually cares about that stuff too. It blows my mind that the God who created this universe-shattering scheme to redeem mankind from eternal damnation also cares that my mortgage payments are killing me and my kid will not poop in the potty no matter how I beg. (Yes, that was a while ago.)

What is super cool about Jesus (ok, one of the many things that are super cool about Jesus) is the way he demonstrates that he cares. Yes, sometimes he responds to our hangry cries for help with a tuna sandwich (can you say, loaves and fishes?) but sometimes he addresses our real problems. Sometimes he says, “No. A cheeseburger isn’t going to fix this. Being hungry is going to get your attention so that when you look to me, I can show you what you really need.” 

Luke will devote the rest of this chapter to more of Jesus’ kingdom teaching, and oh my goodness, that kingdom is nothing like the one we are living in.  Not then.  Not now. We’ll take a look next time.