“And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said:
“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
“Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied.
“Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.
“Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.
“But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.
“Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry.
“Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.
“Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.
“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
“If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful." Luke 6:20-36
I recall as a middle schooler sitting in the third pew from the front at a Sunday evening service next to my absolutely cute crush (no, it wasn't Chris, we didn't meet till college). I doubt anyone was sitting in the first two rows and my mom made sure I sat up front so I would pay attention. (Important fact in case you've never been to a Sunday evening service - typically the preacher teaches not up on the stage, but on our level... so, it had to be less than 10 feet between us and him.) And I got the giggles. The uncontrollable ones that don't stop. They just grow. You been there? I tried holding it all in only to see it coming out in the form of tears as I covered my mouth. My face was turning red as I tried to stop breathing... eventually bubbling up and then just exploding out my nervous mouth in childish laughter.
He was reading a long passage with a lot of "woes" in it. I wish I knew what passage he was reading. As an adult I'd like to read it and know the seriousness of what I just laughed at. But, I know it had to be serious for someone to warn with a list of "woes".
I did get grounded. But, now I think the memory of laughing at the Word of God in the house of God is a greater consequence. What must've people thought about me and/or my family? All I know is I never want to take His Word for granted. And one of the most consistent themes I've been reading lately is to love our enemies. Lord, woe to us who don't. Lord, help us to love like You did.
