A Level Place

17 He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coastal region around Tyre and Sidon, 18 who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by impure spirits were cured, 19 and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all.

(Luke 6:17-19)

Up close and personal, Jesus taught from a place where he could reach the people and they could reach him. He could touch them and be touched by them. There were times when Jesus went up a mountain - to be closer to God, receive the strength and power he needed - but life is lived in the level places.

It's in these places, where life is messy and we're in each other's way, our view of the Almighty might be lost unless we look with compassion at those standing beside us. When Jesus lays out the "blessings and woes" in Luke 6, we realize that we each have much to give and much to gain from our brothers and sisters in faith.

If we elevate ourselves, or put others on a pedestal we loose the perspective we need to reach one another and be touched by one another. We are each called to repentance and humble service. Such is the blessing of the level place.

10 I the LORD test the mind and search the heart, to give to all according to their ways, according to the fruit of their doings. (Jeremiah 17:10)