I love how Jesus opens this passage, “You who are listening.” If we back up a few verses Luke tells us who Jesus is talking to. He came down with his disciples and stood on a level place with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people. It seems there are a lot of people listening to what Jesus has to say but Jesus seems to know that know all of them are listening. To listen to what Jesus says can be challenging. Jesus offers many words of comfort, but Jesus also challenges his audience, and us, to live out our faith. This can be difficult at times. Jesus immediately launches into one of these difficult teachings, “Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you; bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” I get the idea that Jesus is telling his followers that they have to be better. Jesus begins to make this comparison between his audience and sinners. “For even sinners do that.” 

     This passage plays out like a greatest hit of Jesus’ most challenging teachings. One after another Jesus challenges his followers, those who are listening, to do better. How are we doing today with these challenges? Of course we know we could do better, we could always do better, but we need to be reminded, sometimes a lot. 

     If we live out this passage, does this sort of life cause people of faith to look like pushovers? Lend expecting nothing in return. Turn the other cheek. Give your clothes to anyone who takes them from you! If someone takes your stuff, don’t ask for it back. Are people of faith supposed to stand up for themselves? And then Jesus wraps up this passage with a promise of a gift to come. Would this passage have been better if Jesus didn’t say that? If we know a reward is in our future, does it taint our motivation as soon as it is said? Or, do we need to be reminded of the gifts that will be given to us, even if we wont receive them until after we die? 

     I wish our reading included verse 39. In that verse Jesus asks, “Can a blind person lead a blind person?” Maybe we live this way so that we can help guide those who haven’t discovered this way of living yet. If no one takes them first step, how can we make any progress?