#34 Luke 6:27-31 But To You Who Are Listening

On August 29, 2021 by Amy Burgin

Joy: Episode#34 Luke 6:27-31

Welcome

Amy:
Welcome to The Christgazing Podcast. We are so glad you’re here. I’m Amy Burgin.

Joy:
I’m Joy Burgin

Amy:
Christgazing is the act of looking steadily and intently at Christ. This podcast is just one small tool to help us do that. Each week we focus on one passage from the Bible as Joy reads it several times and creates stillness after each reading to consider who God is and what he wants us to know.

We are in a series that takes us through the book of Luke focusing on the things Jesus said and did when he walked the earth.

Pour Out Your Heart to God

Amy:
Before we begin, take the next minute to pour out your heart to God, whether it be thanksgiving, shame, pride, excitement, or fear. Whatever is on your mind, name it and bring it to the Lord in these next few minutes.

[Pause and pour out]

What Does This Passage Say About God?

Amy:
Jesus begins today’s passage with the words “But to those who are listening, I say.” The Greek word used here is akouo, which can mean more than just hearing. It can mean, to give audience to, to hearken, to give heed and attention to what is being said, to devour, descry, and discern the words, to get and understand what they mean, to give ear to the words of the teacher and learn.

Will you respond with me in return like the boy Samuel in 1 Samuel 3:10, “Speak Lord, for your servants are listening.”

Joy:
I’m going to read today’s passage two times. As I read, consider the question, What does this passage say about God?

Luke 6:27-31 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Again?

Luke 6:27-31 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Take the next few moments to answer the question, “What does this say about God?”

[Pause and know]

What Does This Passage Say About People?

Joy:
As I read the scripture again, consider the question: What does this passage tell you about people?

Take the next minute to answer the question: What does this passage tell you about people?

[Pause and know]

Lord, What Would You Have Me Know or Do Today?

Joy:
As I read for the last time, ask God the question, “Lord, what would you have me know or do today in response to this passage?”

Take time to ask God, “Lord, what would have me know or do today?”

[Pause and listen]

Blessing

Joy: Christgazer, the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. May your ears be inclined to Christ today.

One Response

Amy:
In last week’s episode, we heard Jesus speak what is often called the beatitudes:

Blessed are those who are poor
Blessed are those who hunger
Woe to those who are rich now
Woe to those who are well fed now

We noted that Jesus is talking about a spiritual poverty and hunger here, a hunger for righteousness, a hunger for him.

We people can have a tendency to read those woes as if they are curses from God. I once read it that way. But they are not curses. Woe is an exclamation of grief. Our God is grief stricken when people find such satisfaction in the world that they hunger not for him and miss his blessing that is offered to them.”

Jesus wants to make it clear, which is one reason he follows up with those who will hear, saying, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you, then you will be children of the Most High, you will be like the me – for I show kindness to the ungrateful and wicked – my heart aches for all to know and receive the blessing of me.”

Closing

Amy:
Joy and I will be back again next week to go Christgazing together. Until then, don’t forget, when you put your trust in Christ, you are one in whom he dwells and delights, a dearly loved child of God. You are royalty in his strong and unshakeable kingdom. Though trouble abounds, Christ prevails and so do you.