BLESSINGS AND WOES Luke 6:20-26

BLESSINGS AND WOES

Luke 6:20-26

This passage of the “Sermon on the Plateau” is similar to the “Sermon on the Mount” found in Matt. 5:1—7:29. It could be that Jesus used similar sermons on different occasions or that this was Luke’s account of the same account.

The IVP New Testament Commentary Series found on www.biblegateway.com has an excellent article on Luke 6:20-26.

Luke 6:20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.

Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Susan: Many translations substitute the word “happy” for blessed, but blessed means much more than that. Blessed has the connotation of the favor of God resting on the individual who is the object of God’s grace.

Susie: God’s favor rests on those who are poor. Poor in what way?

Susan: Those who followed Jesus were often poor by financial measure because of being ostracized, disowned, and isolated from the Jewish community. Poverty could have also been a result of fleeing persecution.

Susie: As Matthew noted, this include those poor in spirit. Those who realize their spiritual poverty are the once who turn to Christ as the only means to salvation, knowing they could never earn or deserve God’s grace.

Susan: Those who recognize their impoverished souls and seek reconciliation with God and find freedom for the imprisonment of sin by trusting Jesus are the ones who are truly blessed.

Luke 6:21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.

Susie: The followers of Christ were often physically hungry, but then as well as now there is a greater implication which Matthew’s account brings out.

Matthew 5:6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Susan: Hungering and thirsting after righteousness is intensely desiring right relationship with, to be in covenant with your Creator. People who recognize that they need that above all else are being drawn by God. When they seek Him above all else, He will provide for their physical needs as well as the spiritual. They will lack no good thing.

Susie: When we realize our need and turn to Jesus, He fills us with the Holy Spirit who instructs us in righteousness. Next, Jesus addresses those who weep. Matthew used the word “mourn”.

Matthew 5:4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Susie: I ask myself, “Why or what are they mourning?” I’ve heard it preached that they were mourning their sinful state and would be comforted by salvation. Perhaps they were mourning family members lost due to persecution or the loss of relationships due to following Jesus. Either way, Jesus promises they will be comforted.

Susan: Jesus says in His word that those who have trusted and believed in Him shall be comforted even to the point of Him personally drying their tears. I am looking forward to that day because I have cried many bottles full (Psalm 56:8).

Revelation 7:17b and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

Susie: These “beatitudes” correspond with the messianic prophecy found in Isaiah which Jesus quoted in part when He preached in Nazareth:

Isaiah 61:1-3 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.

Luke 6:22-23 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

Susan: The persecution spoken of here in Luke’s Gospel is directly linked to the person’s devotion to Jesus Christ and His message.

Susie: First century Christians were ostracized, even kicked out of, Jewish communities or even their own families. Later they would be persecuted by both Jews and Romans, even to the point of imprisonment or death. The Apostle Paul is a prime example of someone who suffered much persecution but realized He was truly blessed, an object of God’s grace.

Susan: Remember, do not think that you have been orphaned by God when you are persecuted. On the contrary jump for joy. He sees and knows your faithfulness, and your reward will be substantial by heavenly standards.

Susie: Jesus told His disciples they would be in good company because the Old Testament prophets were persecuted for proclaiming God’s truth as well.

Luke 6:24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.

Susie: Those who have focused their energy on amassing earthly wealth rather than treasure stored in Heaven have already received all the good they are going to get (Matthew 6:20 and Matthew 16:25). Rather than realizing their spiritual poverty, they relied on their own self-sufficiency.

Luke 6:25 Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.

Susan: Those who are relying on their own merit or wealth have stuff but no substance. The things of this world give momentary satisfaction at best. Even the things the Lord has given for us to enjoy here are fleeting. It is not until we are with the Lord forever and ever that we will be able to experience joy in its totality.

Susie: And that joy, that complete fulfillment is only for those who hungered and thirsted for the only essential thing, the righteousness of Jesus imputed to them because of His finished work on the cross.

Susan: Those who laugh mockingly, derisively, in a taunting manner toward those who believe in Jesus may think they have the last laugh, but they do not. They will mourn and weep when they realize they are separated from the Lord and His goodness forever.

Psalm 2:1-6 (VOICE) You are wondering: What has provoked the nations to embrace anger and chaos? Why are the people making plans to pursue their own vacant and empty greatness, Leaders of nations stand united; rulers put their heads together, plotting against the Eternal One and His Anointed King, trying to figure out How they can throw off the gentle reign of God’s love, step out from under the restrictions of His claims to advance their own schemes. At first, the Power of heaven laughs at their silliness. The Eternal mocks their ignorant selfishness. But His laughter turns to rage, and He rebukes them.

    As God displays His righteous anger, they begin to know the meaning of fear. He says, “I am the One who appointed My king who reigns from Zion, My mount of holiness.

    He is the one in charge.”

Luke 6:26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

Susan: When people direct all kinds of flattery toward you, watch out! In the Old Testament, it was the false prophets that were praised and elevated. See 1 Kings 22 for an example of false prophets.  

Susie: Yes. Remember that Jeremiah was a good guy and he was tossed into a cistern!

Ponder this: Would Jesus tell you that you are blessed or would He say, “Woe to you?” Have you recognized the fact that you are incapable of earning a place in Heaven because you could never be “good enough” or do enough good deeds? Have you seen yourself as “poor in spirit” and turned to Jesus to deliver you from your sin? If not, today is a good day to surrender your will to His will, to let go of your “right” to yourself and realize that the One who created you is the only One with the ability to direct your life correctly. If you need to talk about this with someone, we would be happy to hear from you. Simply click on the “contact/prayer/donate” tab on our website at www.preciousjewelsministries.org and email us!