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Weekly Message | August 9th, 2009
Passage: Luke 6:17-36
Key Verse(s): 35
Jesus’ teaching in this chapter is somewhat intriguing. This is challenging in two ways: (1) the first part is difficult to understand (17-26); (2) The second part is hard to obey (27-36). However, as we meditate this passage prayerfully, it is a great source of spiritual inspiration. Here are Jesus’ great promises for us. To those who obey Jesus’ teaching in this passage experience the power and love of God. The reward will be great.
First, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God” (17-22). Before this teaching session Jesus called, chose and designated the Twelve Apostles. He probably had a short appointing ceremony and explained the purpose of His calling. Now Jesus came down with the Twelve and stood on the level ground. Hundreds and even thousands of people were waiting for Jesus from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coast of Tyre and Sidon. Many healthy people came to hear Jesus. Many other sick people eagerly desired to be healed of their diseases. Many other mentally and spiritually tormented people all tried to touch Jesus. In this pressing moment Jesus looked at His disciples. Jesus started with the words of blessing, “Blessed are you...” Here, Luke only listed four blessings.
In understanding this teaching of our Lord Jesus, it is important to consider the passage as it is. Different from Matthew, Luke does not spiritualize Jesus’ teaching. For example, Matthew said, “Blessed are you who are poor in spirit, ….Blessed are you who are hunger for righteousness….”(Mt 5:3,4). This is quite different from what Luke said, “Blessed are you who are poor….Blessed are you who hunger now, ….”(Lk 6:20, 21). Matthew emphasizes the spiritual elements of being poor and hungry while Luke plainly speaks about the blessedness of being physically poor and hungry. Any reason for such discrepancy? Probably, Jesus repeated this teaching, “Sermon on the Mount”, on many occasions in some variations. Therefore, the disciples memorized them by heart. On some occasions, Jesus speaks of spiritual elements of being poor and hungry while on other occasions Jesus plainly referred his disciples to be blessed by being poor and hungry.
Now, let’s consider the situations of these disciples as Jesus describes. The disciples at this time were poor. John and James, for example, had a prosperous fishing business but they left their boats and nets and followed Jesus. Matthew the former tax collector gave up his mansion house. He left his well paying job to follow Christ. Virtually, all of Jesus’ key disciples made themselves completely available to Jesus. From a worldly point of view they were penniless. They were very poor.
Jesus also says, “Blessed are you who hunger now”. The disciples were hungry. Here, hunger refers to spiritual hunger as much as physical hunger. Here, Luke focused on hunger in general, both for the spiritual and the physical. The disciples were so hungry that they had to pick up anything on the road and eat them all (Lk 6:1,2). Probably, the disciples loved to be invited for food. They would be happy to go all-you-can eat restaurant and consume tons of food.
Jesus says, “Blessed are you who weep now”. Jesus’ disciples were too often weeping—silently--in their hearts. They were weeping while thinking about the families they had left behind. They were weeping because they were in pains. They were weeping because they were poor and hungry. They were weeping because they were despised, rejected and hated. Observe what Jesus says in the next verses, “Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil…”. Their life was very hard. People insulted them. They were excluded from the synagogues. People rejected them as evil. The world treated them just like criminals. But Jesus says, “Blessed are you.”
Poverty, hunger, rejections, insults and persecutions are what we all naturally desire to avoid. What is so blessed about being poor and hungry? Why is so blessed about being social outcasts in this world? Yet, Jesus says that even in these circumstances they are blessed. Here, we learn what it means to be happy and blessed. We are blessed and happy not because our situations change. We are blessed and happy because of Jesus. Even in our poor, hungry, sorrowful and lonely circumstances, we must claim our blessedness because of Jesus.
These days everyone seems to be poor. The University of Toledo is poor in that it does not have enough money. The State of Ohio is not rich, either. How about the US government?. The whole world does not have enough money. But because of Christ, this world with even such lack of adequate resources is blessed. This life is still worthy living for. We gladly live in this world. Why? The kingdom of God is ours. We experience God and his rule in this world of desperate needs. Are you poor? Are you hungry? Do you feel like crying because pains in your soul are so great. Do you weep silently as you struggle by totally being left alone? Apart from Christ, these conditions are reasons for being pitiful and miserable. But do you know Christ Jesus? Do you love him? Are these things happening as you walk with Christ Jesus? Then, accept that even these circumstances are blessed. At first, St. Peter did not understand Jesus’ teaching. Later, he understood, accepted and practiced on Jesus’ teaching. Peter said, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”(1Peter 5:12, 13). St. Paul also said, “Be joyful always, pray continually, and give thanks to God in all circumstances, because this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”(1Thes 5:16-18).
Jesus says, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.” Here, Jesus does not bless poverty. Jesus blessed his disciples who are poor but he does not bless poverty itself. Otherwise, he should have said, “Blessed are you who are poor, for it is good to stay poor”. No, Jesus reminds them of the kingdom of God they possess. Even in poor circumstances, the disciples have the kingdom of God. They believe in God’s rule. They trust God’s provision. They happily believe that God “who did not spare his own Son, but gave him for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously gives us all things?”(Rom 8:32)?
Jesus says, “Blessed are you who are hunger now, for you will be satisfied”. Here, notice that Jesus does not bless hunger. Jesus blesses his disciples who happened to be hungry at this time. Then, Jesus plants hope that they will be satisfied. God gives us a hunger so that we can enjoy the simplest meal. It is good to be hungry because it keeps people working. One young man was so high minded that he despised his job and people around him. So almost a year went by and he didn’t get any job and became hungry. Then he became humble to recognize his poor condition. Hunger makes the proud humble. Humble people are willing to do anything. Such hungry people work hard. They learn to be content. They find jobs. They will not be hungry any more. The hungry will be satisfied.
Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Jesus does not bless mourning. Jesus blesses his disciple who mourn. Sorrows are not something we have to bear. Sorrows must be gone. Therefore, in heaven God wipes our tears. No more sorrows and tears. But as we love Christ in the midst of sorrows, we will be comforted. In Psalm 126:5-6 we read, “Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.” In the Bible we read about the power of weeping. Hannah, for example, wept much until she resolved in her heart that she would offer her first son to God. God blessed her weeping resolution and granted Samuel who laid the spiritual foundation of the kingdom of Israel. It is good to weep for the right reason. As we are broken and pour out our heart before God, we will not be sorrowful forever. We rise up from our self-pity and resolve to live by faith. We experience God’s comfort. Our God is the God of all comfort who “comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God” (2 Co 2:4).
Observe what Jesus says in the next verses, “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.” Look at verse 23: “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.” Early Christians were subjected to constant harassment by people. They were holy and pure but were accused of treason and immorality. They were branded as enemies of Rome and finally thrown among the lions and beasts. Even in this age, those who faithfully study the Bible and live according to its teaching are easily ridiculed and laughed at. But what does Jesus expect from his disciples? Jesus commands His disciples to be strong. Jesus wants his disciples to rejoice in sufferings. In fact, Jesus wants us to express joy by leaping. This is what we call “leap for joy”. Our reward in heaven is great. Some day God will speak to us, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” Our prize is not made of gold or silver. Our reward is God’s reward which lasts forever.
Second, “Woe to you who are rich, for you have already received the reward” (24-26). Look at verses 24-26: “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.” These verses also deserve careful exposition. However, the shocking point of Jesus’ teaching is that people can be happy in the world apart from Christ. Then the moment will come when they realize their troubled condition in every way.
From Jesus’ point of view the truly miserable people are those who have received all their rewards in this world. This is not about them but us. What is Jesus’ message for us? As followers of Jesus Christ do not regard the favorable situations of this world as if they were permanent. Do not put too much hope in this world. The world and all things pass away. If God gives us riches and wealth, then enjoy and use them for good. Otherwise, they will all pass away. Therefore, in times of blessings be humble and prudent. Remember God. Think about the poor and needy around you. Take Jesus warning, “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 mean speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets.” What are the lessons? Don’t put too much faith in the changing circumstances as if they are so secure and firm. Be faithful, humble, and prayerful in times of blessings in this world.
Third, “Love your enemies”(27-35). In verses 27-31 Jesus challenges His disciples to the utmost degree. Many think that they are pretty nice and generous. So Jesus asks His disciples to what extent we can practice generosity. Jesus commanded His disciples to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them. Jesus’ disciples bless those who offend them and curse them. Jesus’ disciples pray for those who mistreat them. If somebody strikes us on our cheek, it is right to turn the other also.
Jesus says, “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.” Jesus simply wants His disciples to do unconditionally good to others just as they expect others to do the same.
Look at verse 35: “But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.” Who are enemies? They are our neighbors. Enemies are around us. Suppose we have enemies’ leagues, then, there should be baby, junior, minor and major leagues. Enemies in the baby leagues are those who may offend us from time to time. They are those who make us uncomfortable. Those who are in junior enemies leagues are those who hurt us more deeply. They are those who we really dislike and even hate for what they say and for what they have done. Those who are in minor enemies leagues are those who damaged us in real sense. We lose money and jobs because of them. We experience huge loss in this life because of them. Those who are in major enemies leagues are those who murdered our loved ones. They are those who took our loved ones away be evil schemes.
What kind of enemies do you have? What capabilities do you have in loving these enemies? It is said, “Hug your friends and embrace your enemies.” Jesus loved Judas Iscariot who betrayed him to the end. When Jesus said on the cross, “Father, forgive them, they do not know what they are doing” (Lk 23:34), Jesus was really praying for them. Loving enemies is uniquely Christian. The disciples are extraordinary people. The disciples of Jesus love their enemies because of God’s love. Once we were all enemies of God but in order to bring us to him, God gave His Son for us.
Look at verse 36: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Jesus commands His disciples to be merciful just as our Heavenly Father is merciful. Mercy is God’s grace expressed in truth. Why does God refrain from His anger and spare us from destruction every time we sin? It is because God “knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust” (Ps 103:14). This is God’s mercy. As we meditate on God’s mercy upon us, we can show mercy to others as well. From this passage we learn that those who are blessed are those who know and love Jesus. We are blessed and happy even in hard circumstances because Jesus’ promises are clear. We love even our enemies because God’s reward is great. We want to live as the blessed disciples of Jesus and be called as the children of the Most High.
August 9, 2009, Dr. Paul Hong, Toledo UBF
Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
