power to stoop

why is it so difficult for a rich person to find their place in the kingdom of heaven?

what does it mean that the poor are not only blessed but possessors of the kingdom?

most of the people i know in church are wealthy. it seems jesus must have been wrong about that whole camel through the eye of a needle thing...

i've been around folks who are homeless, or close to being without a place to live for a few years now. i can tell you with absolute certainty that there is nothing blessed about being homeless or dirt poor. there is no inherent beauty or quality to living a life that is without basic necessities, most especially love.

so what are we supposed to think about these teachings/blessings? other than the religious/political implications of these statements by jesus, what can we learn from what he is teaching us about kingdom values?

i think one of the most intriguing things about jesus, and the prophet that prepared the way for him, is that they were both homeless. both possessed far more power and authority than anyone around, but both chose to live a life of simplicity and apparent weakness.

i think it's because both jesus and his cousin understood that wealth and power count for nothing unless they are used to stoop. jesus, who could have just as easily presented his vision for the kingdom from the emperor's seat in rome, chose to live as a rabbi from the streets. it seems to me that this is what jesus continually taught anyone that would listen, and finally put this stooping power on display when he washed his disciple's feet (including his betrayer) and submitted to a brutal and torturous death.

so why is it hard for a rich man/woman to find themselves enjoying the blessedness of the kingdom? i think it's because they don't understand that their value is first and foremost derived from WHO they are, not what they've got. we've got way too much to lose, and that is to our detriment.

it seems that the poor are blessed because they don't have to stoop. they are already humbled, already beaten down, addicted and abused. they understand power from side of the powerless, and it seems clear that God is on the side of those who are the victims of power.

jesus invites his followers to stoop with him, get to know the powerless and serve the ones who will never be able to repay you. after all, they are our superiors in the kingdom, not simply objects of our charity.

-dave-