Have we ignored Jesus' teachings?
JOE MILLER JR.

Luke 6:17-26

What can we say about a scripture that we refuse to believe? A scripture that is so un-American?

The great sermon on the plain in Luke starts with the beatitudes that express a perception of the Christian life that is so radically different from what we hold to be true, that we pretend that we do not see this part of the Bible.

The great Protestant work ethic of our ancestors has taught us to work hard, get a good education, raise our kids to excel, and God will reward us with the resources to enjoy life. Even a person born in a log cabin can grow up to be president of the United States! America, the land of opportunity; where we share in the American dream of each generation having a better life than the generation before.

Yet, in this scripture Jesus is pronouncing blessings on the poor, the hungry, the weeping, and the disenfranchised of his world. And even more strongly, he delivers a warning (curse?) to those who are successful; that is, the rich, the full, the laughing, and those well thought of.

What is wrong here? I have worked hard all of my life, been to school more than I care to remember, and want to be well thought of. Does that mean that Jesus is against me? That I should be ashamed of any personal achievement? Should I go hungry to please him? These beatitudes are so radical that they are easy to ignore, and we do!

Like it or not, Jesus came to minister to the poor, the hurting, the hungry, and the outcasts.

He healed those with infirmities, fed the hungry, ate with sinners, and hung around with tax collectors and women of questionable character. He preached to those who were hopelessly lost or seemed so.

Jesus was viewed as a revolutionary within Judaism by the religious leaders of his day because he upset the status quo. When he turned over the money changers' tables, he was turning the world upside down at the same time. The interesting thing is that most of what he taught was consistent with the principles of the law and Judaism, but religious practices had departed from the social justice teachings of the prophets of the Old Testament; especially Jeremiah and Isaiah.

Jesus' mission was to Israel, but the religious leaders of Israel would not accept his radical reordering of priorities.

So what would Jesus have to say to the Christian church today; the church that belongs to him? Lest we forget, it is Christ's church not our church. The church does not belong to the Baptists, the Methodists, or anyone else. It belongs to Christ. It is the Body of Christ. Have we ignored his teachings? Do we heed these beatitudes and live the Christian life as he taught or not?

One place that helps us lead a Christian life is the church. If you have a church, worship passionately. If you do not have a church, find one. East Texas is full of churches. Email me at newtonumc@valornet.com with your thoughts.

Joe Miller Jr. is pastor of First United Methodist Church in Newton.