Some Hard Sayings of Jesus

I have been reading through my chronological Bible (New International Version) since 2006, taking baby steps, trying to get the big picture. A few months ago, I left the Old Testament world of the prophets, and moved into the time of Jesus.

There is so much I love about Jesus' life - his healing ministry, his acceptance of people, especially those shunned by the "correct" religious people of his day. (Would I have been one of those?) He ate and drank with people considered to be "sinners", offering them hope.

But I have come to some teaching that has left me... well, almost speechless... Is Jesus using hyperbole - exaggeration - to make his points? Or am I to take his words literally? If I did, my life would change dramatically...

Having said that, I will simply cite the words here, taken from the account written by Luke, a Greek physician who was a follower of Jesus. He wrote about the life of Jesus - in the book of Luke - and about the origins of the Christian Church - in the book of the Acts of the Apostles. Both of these ancient "books" are part of the Christian New Testament.

Here are Jesus' words, in a sermon, found in Luke, chapter 6 quoted from the New International Bible Website:

"Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man [a name Jesus used to refer to himself].

"Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.

"But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.
Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.
Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets.

"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic.

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.