Prelude
Have you noticed that Jesus often contradicts popular ideas, because He taught us to worship God also with our minds? Perhaps He gave the Sermon on the Plain after the Sermon on the Mount. It contains some contrasting thoughts. Let’s look at Luke 6:17-26.
A Level Plain
“And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases, as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed. And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all.” (Luke 6:17-19 NKJV)
This seems to be a different time to the Sermon on the Mount, perhaps the next morning. A preacher who speaks in multiple locations, adapts to each congregation.
This Sermon on the Plain included a multitude that was very mixed, disciples, Jews and perhaps Gentiles from the coast. They had come to receive healing from Jesus. And Jesus did so indiscriminately with an abundant display of His miraculous power.
Blessed are the Poor
“Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said: ‘Blessed are you poor, For yours is the kingdom of God.’ “ (Luke 6:20 NKJV)
Contrasted with “blessed are the poor in spirit,” here Jesus says, “blessed are the [destitute].” In Greek society, the rich were the so-called “blessed.” As usual, Jesus says the opposite. Why are they blessed? The poor realize their lack, and are ready to hear God.
The phrase “Kingdom of God” can be awkward among those that find opulent worldly monarchs offensive. It can be rendered as “reign of God.” It describes the rule of Christ in the lives of the faithful, who obey His reign now.
Blessed are You Who Hunger
“Blessed are you who hunger now, For you shall be filled.” (Luke 6:21a NKJV)
Hunger is fewer words than “hunger and thirst after righteousness.” Perhaps fewer words also say more. Like riches tend to dull the desire for higher things of God, so does a full stomach dull the hunger of the soul.
Blessed are You who Weep
“Blessed are you who weep now, For you shall laugh.” (Luke 6:21b NKJV)
Blessed are you who weep. Mourning is part of life and also the Christian experience. We mourn because of our own sins and the world. Sin brings tears. Here is the only place in the entire New Testament where laughter refers to joy. Laughter can also be associated with sin.
Blessed are You Hated
“Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they exclude you, And revile you, and cast out your name as evil, For the Son of Man’s sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.” Luke 6:22-23 NKJV)
The first Christians were excommunicated from the synagogue. Later in history some were kicked out of churches because they dared to follow Jesus instead of vain traditions. Jesus often has more questions than answers. He wants us to think. When we are hated for Jesus’ sake, not our sins, we are blessed.
Woe to the Rich
“But woe to you who are rich, For you have received your consolation.” (Luke 6:24 NKJV)
Woe means pain. Why the rich? They already have all they are going to get. They usually do not store up treasures in heaven by generosity to the poor.
Woe to the Full
“Woe to you who are full, For you shall hunger.” (Luke 6:25a NKJV)
Why the fed? They will hunger. Physical food does not feed the soul.
Woe to the Laughing
“Woe to you who laugh now, For you shall mourn and weep.” (Luke 6:25b NKJV)
Why the laughing? They will mourn and weep. Laughter is often in selfish acts and relishing sin.
Woe to the Popular
“Woe to you when all men speak well of you, For so did their fathers to the false prophets.” (Luke 6:26 NKJV)
Why will the popular experience pain? They are in danger of being false prophets.
Postlude
Have you noticed that Jesus often says the exact opposite of popular ideas? Jesus did not establish a Church where people just check their brains at the entry door and blindly follow men. We worship God also with our minds. Jesus challenges us to observe the world and think.
