Luke 6:22-23
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Take a moment to settle into your surroundings and then begin to recognize your breath. As you breathe in, call on the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
If you haven’t already, read through yesterday’s passage and meditation. Then read Luke 6:22-23 prayerfully.
When God became human in Jesus and walked the earth, the Kingdom of God broke into our splintered worldly reality. But until Jesus comes again to set all things right, we will continue to live in an in-between time where we see and experience only glimpses and shadows of the totality of God’s Kingdom. Heaven is not a far-off place; it’s another way to speak about the Kingdom of God – the realm where our good and perfect God reigns supreme, and everything is the way God intends it to be.
In this passage, Jesus isn’t referring to the natural consequences of our unloving or unjust actions and mistakes. He makes it clear that following him and living his way of love and shalom will cause some people to “hate you,” “exclude you,” “mock you”, and even “curse you as evil.” This happened to Jesus, after all.
Stop to contemplate the difference between the natural consequences of rebellion against God’s good and perfect ways, and the results of following and becoming like Jesus.
Then consider whether you may have ever misunderstood or treated someone badly who was sincerely trying to follow Jesus. Talk openly with Jesus about this.
Read Luke 6:22-23 again focusing on the “reward” that awaits you in heaven.
There is a promise in Jesus’ words here that his followers should claim and hold onto. Heaven is the full realization of God’s presence and God’s Kingdom, so it is not a faraway destination that we will reach only after we die. We can experience bits of heaven while we live and breathe because the Spirit of Jesus lives in us. It is a partial experience of God’s Kingdom to be sure, but even the slightest glimmer of God’s Kingdom far outweighs any price we pay to attain it.
For the last minutes of this time of reflection, share your thoughts and desires about experiencing heaven on earth with Jesus. Then get still and listen to him.
What might Jesus want you to take away from this time of meditation?
Is there something you need to do in response?
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The Everyday Jesus Follower’s Guide ebook can help you learn how to recognize God's voice, how to read and understand the Bible, how to develop deep spiritual friendships, and how to become the person you were meant to be. Use it alone, with a friend or in a small group.
