Your task is to be true, not popular!

Luke 6:20-26

Coming down off the mountain with them, he stood on a plain surrounded by disciples, and was soon joined by a huge congregation from all over Judea and Jerusalem, even from the seaside towns of Tyre and Sidon. They had come both to hear him and to be cured of their ailments. Those disturbed by evil spirits were healed. Everyone was trying to touch him—so much energy surging from him, so many people healed! Then he spoke:

You’re blessed when you’ve lost it all. God’s kingdom is there for the finding.

You’re blessed when you’re ravenously hungry. Then you’re ready for the Messianic meal.

You’re blessed when the tears flow freely. Joy comes with the morning.

“Count yourself blessed every time someone cuts you down or throws you out, every time someone smears or blackens your name to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and that that person is uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—skip like a lamb, if you like!—for even though they don’t like it, I do . . . and all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company; my preachers and witnesses have always been treated like this.

But it’s trouble ahead if you think you have it made. What you have is all you’ll ever get.

And it’s trouble ahead if you’re satisfied with yourself. Your self will not satisfy you for long.

And it’s trouble ahead if you think life’s all fun and games. There’s suffering to be met, and you’re going to meet it.

“There’s trouble ahead when you live only for the approval of others, saying what flatters them, doing what indulges them. Popularity contests are not truth contests—look how many scoundrel preachers were approved by your ancestors! Your task is to be true, not popular.

Food for thought!

We all like to be liked. We all love to be loved. But Jesus is saying that that is dangerous. Our task, he says, is to be true, not popular. Our task on earth is not to be liked or loved by men but by God. What does this mean? What does it mean to be true but not popular? It means that if our goal is to be popular or be liked or loved, we will sacrifice the truth; we will seek to please people; we will seek the approval of others, saying what flatters them, doing what indulges them. 

Jesus had no doubt which way in the end brings happiness; it is the way of the truth. If by saying the truth we suffer, if by leaving the truth we are despised, then that is good. This is what Peter says in his letter: "It's better to suffer for doing good, if that's what God wants, than to be punished for doing bad." (1Pt 3:17). What does this mean?

It means that sometimes we must stand for what is right even if by so doing we might experience a loss of friends. It means not  giving in to evil schemes even if by so doing we might experience a loss of ill-gotten gain. Suffering for wrong is puishment, suffering for good is glory. Remember, our task is not to be popular but true and genuine and authentic.

Count yourself blessed every time someone cuts you down or throws you out, every time someone smears or blackens your name to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and that that person is uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—skip like a lamb, if you like!—for even though they don’t like it, I do . . . and all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company; my preachers and witnesses have always been treated like this.