All Saints Sunday , 11/03/2019

Sermon on Luke 6:20-31, by Judson F. Merrell

20 Then he looked up at his disciples and said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 "Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. "Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. 22 "Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. 23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets. 24 "But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. 25 "Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. "Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. 26 "Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets. 27 "But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.(Luke 6:20-31 NRSV)

Brothers and sisters in Christ, grace and peace to you from God the Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

As we celebrate All Saint’s Sunday today we hear Luke’s version of the beatitudes. Compared to Matthew’s account, Luke presents a condensed version of Jesus’ teachings. Speaking directly to his disciples, Jesus gives four “Blessed” statements followed by four “Woe” statements. Blessed are you who are poor. Blessed are you who are hungry. Blessed are you who weep. Blessed are you when people hate you on my account. But woe to you who are rich. Woe to you who are full. Woe to you who are laughing. Woe to you when all speak well of you. What does this all mean?

For a moment, put yourself in the shoes of one of the 12. Here you are on a slight hill. There are a bunch of people gathered around, but you and the other disciples are slightly higher up than everyone, including Jesus. He turns around, looks up to you, looks you in your eyes, and says these things to you. How do you interpret it? Do you think about how you left your family and your fishing boats behind to follow this man? Do you wonder where your next meal will come? Are you indeed sad and perhaps regretting your decisions? Do you worry about people actually hating you? Now think about your life today. As you sit here in the pews this morning you are giving things up. You could have slept in. You could be lounging on the couch sipping your coffee. Are you poor for giving up precious time to be here? Are you here because you are hungry for what only God can give? Are you here because you need joy in your life? Do people indeed hate you because you are Christian? As we live in this complex world of today, what does all this mean?

I find it interesting that after addressing the disciples with these blessings and woes Jesus then addresses the larger crowd. In doing so, he gives us a model for discipleship and a place where we can find the answer to “what does this mean?” Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who abuse you. Do to others as you would have them do to you. Love. Bless. Pray. Serve. This is a model of discipleship for us as we continue on our earthly journey. This model also reminds us of the bigger picture. As followers of Christ, we are to set our minds on things beyond this world. The desires of the flesh, or the “woes” as Jesus taught, will never grant us happiness. They may fill us for the time being, but it is only temporary. Jesus is telling his disciples and us today that we have to reverse our thinking, and put our happiness in his eternal care.

As we celebrate All Saints Sunday, we are reminded of the perpetual care that God provides all his children. The promises made in baptism are realized at death. At a funeral we entrust into God’s eternal care those that have gone before us. In death they gain the fullness and joy that are only temporary on earth. They join the glorious company of saints, the great cloud of witnesses that prays for the church and world constantly. Examples of discipleship that have gone before us, but continue to teach us until the day we join them. As we remember them today, let us also be mindful of our own journeys and how God continues to care for us along the way, so that we can put aside our earthly

desires and focus on heavenly desires, striving to be the disciples that God has called us to be. In the name of the Father, and the +Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Rev. Judson F. Merrell
Gilbert, South Carolina, USA
E-Mail: judsonmerrell@bellsouth.net

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