| WOE! - by Joel Hempel
On Sunday, Seminarian Oliver preached on the Beatitudes of Matthew 5. These are the blessings we can expect fully in the next life with Jesus and, to a lesser extent, in this life as Christians living in the Kingdom of God. But there is a flip side to the Beatitudes, and they are the “Woes” of Luke 6: 24-26.
“Woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. 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 everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.
This is Jesus speaking, not the compassionate, I-feel-your-pain Jesus. This Jesus is deeply disturbed, angry, and sorrowful. The woes are harsh words of condemnation intended for those for whom the proverbial shoe fit. “Woe to you who are rich . . . and well fed and who laugh now . . . and about whom everyone speaks well.”
However, the obvious needs to be emphasized: Jesus does not have it in for the wealthy, lighthearted, well-fed, and those who have earned a good reputation. Many among his first- century followers fit that description. For example, Dr. Luke, businesswoman Lydia, tax collector Zacchaeus, Pharisee Joseph of Arimathea, and many others.
It’s not the qualities of affluence, success, and happiness Jesus condemns. Rather, it is the self- sufficient dependency on them, the frugal and selfish hold on them, and the arrogant self- righteousness that results from believing in them.
But Jesus is not interested in trash-talking the Pharisees and others in the crowd who fit this description. These woes are the expressions of a broken heart. They are reminiscent of his tearful prayer (Luke 19:41-42) as he entered Jerusalem approaching the end of his days: “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now, they are hidden from your eyes.”
What was originally intended for the Scribes and Pharisees is recorded for anyone today who has drunk the Kool-Aid of empty promises.
Jesus dearly wants those who invest in the wrong things to see the futility of their devotion – and then repent! Receive God’s grace and the strength of the Holy Spirit to turn your life around.
Turn away from shallow living and turn toward the deep and abiding love of God. Devote your life to Him, who gave his life for you on the cross. | 
