A foreign representative

Luke 6:20-23

  Looking at his disciples, he said:
   "Blessed are you who are poor,
      for yours is the kingdom of God. 
 Blessed are you who hunger now,
      for you will be satisfied.
   Blessed are you who weep now,
      for you will laugh. 
 Blessed are you when men hate you,
      when they exclude you and insult you

 

I was reading through Luke tonight and was struck by the freshness of Jesus' message as he preached.  It was as if he were coming at life from a totally new angle...and I guess he was.  His perspective seemed to be so different and then I realized that Jesus spoke with the benefit of a clear view of the heavenly kingdom in mind.  He was a foreigner to our world, in a sense.  His mindset was forged by absolute oneness with the Father and when he moved among the villages and walked through the synagogues and interacted with Pharisees, fishermen and folks of every type he spoke and he acted with the certain knowledge of another, superior, king and kingdom than any found among men.  You might say that he was like a representative from a foreign land, who eagerly sought to communicate the wonder of his home and to offer the unique and satisfying fruits of that place.  Imagine what it was like when the early world travelers on the seas brought back coconuts and pineapples from Pacific paradise islands.  Europeans with tastes dulled by sameness of meals would have been amazed by the newness, sweetness and awareness of a place very different, yet very appealing...very far, yet reachable to those willing to travel a bit.

 

I think Jesus was a foreign representative of heaven who longed for us to discover that it really was home, not only for him, but for us!

 

blessings to all who realize they are hungry, they are poor, they carry sadnesses and they are not considered "cool"... The ones who have learned that men don't make the rules that really count and that we can rest in the One who does.

 

Rob Smith

http://2daysthought.blogspot.com/