Jesus, let’s ask the hard question. Are you a communist? All this talk about helping the poor (or however you describe economically deprived, marginalized people) along with negative criticism of the rich and powerful is getting a little heavy. I mean, what have you got against people getting ahead in this world and having a measure of wealth, enjoying life, amassing friends and followers? “Woe to you who are rich…what sorrows await you who laugh…” This country has its success due to capitalism. Free enterprise made us what we are today. We’ve got our faults, but Marxists we ain’t.

You’re right. Here we go again. Jesus had his issues with the rich.  But before we go into what he’s trying to get across, take a look at this setting in which he gave these statements. Note as well, they are couched only as warnings, what could be but not yet.

Jesus had been on a mountain and prayed all night. Something serious must have been about to come down. In the morning, he chose The Twelve as his inner circle. At the bottom of the slopes, they were met by crowds on a flat plain or possibly a plateau. Think about it. Everyone there would be more or less shoulder to shoulder, eye to eye, face to face. No one would be looking down on others, the ones with control and power. Likewise, none would have to fall under the gaze of shame, a feeling of unworthiness, not good enough. Everyone had equal footing, position, place. Jesus chose to meet them here, to see them in this way so they could see each other as the same.

Interestingly, the crowd was very diverse. Some were followers, persons who’d heard his message and wanted more. Then there were people from the Jewish strongholds of Jerusalem and Judea. Good Jews with common heritage, who knew the Hebrew Law and the prophetic messages of a coming Messiah. People like us, you know? Yet, interspersed as well were those who were Gentiles from the northern coast, people not only foreign but also biracial. Again, all gathered and mixed in together, a setting otherwise not possible except for the expressed purpose of hearing Jesus.

It could have been volatile. One misstep interpreted as a shove, one slur spoken a little too loud, one offensive whiff from the despised skin tone of another, in short, this might not have gone well.

Instead

Healing was the result. Watch Jesus move among them, meeting their gaze, touching their diseased bodies, speaking peace into deranged minds possessed by God-knows-what. They press close upon him, for without explanation and only realization, they were restored to health and wholeness perhaps never known before. Without exception, all were made well by an inexplicable power contained and released from him. Thus, an individual and collective equity is achieved.

When Jesus speaks though, his Good News-Bad News refrain surfaces. Blessings, healings, happiness is declared for those who lack and struggle for basic needs and food, for those who have such loss grief overtakes life, for those who are oppressed for listening, following his message. Jesus speaks in a present tense, a voice in which God acknowledges what-should-not-be. Reversal is promised by how the Kingdom of God, satisfied needs, out loud joy in laughter are ahead.

Conversely, Jesus calls out whoever lives on the other side of life’s spectrum. The rich, full-bellied, fun-loving, popular seekers will also know a reversal but of a different nature. A tide-turning sorrow of famine, mourning, poll plummeting rank is coming. Sorrow, deep regret for what has been and what was not is an upside down, inside out transformation in perspective and values.

Blessings, Curses, or Consequence?

So is Jesus threatening, saying God is going to make this happen, and if you fat cats don’t start divesting of all you have, it’s not going to go well? Obviously, Jesus has to address those who have the power to institute change should there ever be a leveling of humanity. Yet, where would that come from, how could it happen? Jesus doesn’t give those on the upper scales much help. Perhaps, the biggest clue lies in what he concludes for those who would be blessed by God.

Identify with Me.

Jesus says take on for yourselves what you’ve just seen. Be the healing factor for this change which would reverse and level out your relationships with each other. Love your neighbor as God does. Make repentance, forgiveness, mercy, and grace the core of your lives. Let justice and humility be your center. Offer to God all that you are even down to the right to oneself in sacrificial generosity. Economic and societal status is of no relevance in one’s ability to live so.

And What If?

What if in only the dream of God this would happen? This kingdom of God would result because that’s what happens when God’s intentions are lived in its fullness. Political efforts have all failed due to this imbalance inherent in human efforts. Social policy has faltered in spite of good, moral intentions. Economic stimulus doesn’t relieve the yearning of the soul. But no way was Jesus a communist.

Jesus calls instead to meet him on the Plain.

Luke 6:17-26