Today is a day that has become known as Palm Sunday, celebrating the day of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Here, near the end of his earthly ministry, people had watched in wonder at 2-3 years of authoritative teaching, profound miracles, and even resurrections. They had become enamored with this One. Now they wanted a King - even quoting from the Old Testament Psalm 118:26 “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We bless you from the house of the Lord.” They wanted someone who would usher in a new season for Israel. They wanted someone who would ascend to David’s throne and rule as God’s man on earth.
However, if they had really been paying attention, they might have understood that Jesus IS King, but He is a different kind of king. He’s not a king with a kingdom defined by political boundaries or power or conventional demonstrations of authority. He is a new kind of king for a new kind of kingdom. The passage that we’re considering today, gives us a glimpse of that as he lays out some instructions for his people.
If you have your Bibles, open them to Luke 6. We’ll be considering verses 17-49. As we think through this passage, we’ll seek to ask and answer four questions that arise from this passage.
Who are the people of the Kingdom?
What are the values of the Kingdom?
What are the ethics of the Kingdom?
What should we do now?
Let’s begin by considering…
Who are the people of the Kingdom? (17-19)
We get to reflect on this as we look at verses 17-19.
Luke 6:17–19 ESV
And he came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. And those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all.
Did you notice who all was there? Based on the context, we can assume that the disciples was more than the 12. There was also a great multitude. But this multitude consisted of people from Judea and Jerusalem - which implies that they were Jews. But there were also people from Tyre and Sidon. These are coastal towns, northwest of Galilee. For many, these were considered to be pagan/gentile towns, and yet there were people from those towns who had heard about what Jesus was saying and doing and wanted to be a part of what He was doing.
So, who are the people of the Kingdom?
First of all, I think that this passage helps us to see that …
Kingdom people are focused on Jesus
Jesus is the unifying force. While most of them were ethnically and religiously Jewish, the Kingdom that Jesus built is not based on those ethnic or religious lines - but on Him. He is the central part of this Kingdom.
Here in the states, there are many people that feel that Christianity is a white person’s religion. It’s not about being white or brown or black or any other pigment of melanin - but rather, it’s about Jesus - who he is, what he taught and what he did. Tim Keller has said that if we actually were to paint a picture of the typical Christian person for a global perspective, it would be a woman from Africa - a place where Christianity is growing by leaps and bounds. I am so grateful that our congregation is being made up more and more of people who have roots all over the world - Asia, Europe, Africa, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and North America - because Kingdom people are Jesus centric, not ethno-centric. What we see this here in Jesus’ audience and then what we see expanded in the book of Acts is that the Kingdom of God is for all people! It’s for people who recognize that they are fallen and need a Savior. It’s for people who acknowledge that the status quo is not sufficient. It’s for people who long for something more than this! So these people came to Jesus. They were attracted to him.
Which brings us to the second thing we see about kingdom people…
They wanted to hear the Word
Luke notes that they came first to “hear.” There was something in what Jesus said that made them want to listen and learn. They wanted to understand. They wanted to be washed in His Word. There was truth, authority, and hope in what Jesus taught. His message wasn’t always easy to hear, but it was consistent and there was something refreshing about it.
Beloved, are we eager to hear from the word of the Lord? Are we enamored with Jesus’ teaching? Do we have that same sort of desire to hang on His every word? May God awaken that desire in us - to read, meditate, pray, and apply His word.
But, not only did they want to hear, but…
They came to be healed
So much of Jesus’ earthly ministry involved his ability to bring healing to the sick, cleansing the unclean, and health to the unhealthy.
Jesus still heals, but the greatest healing we ultimately see in his ministry, in his life, death, resurrection and ascension is healing of our sin-sickness. Some of us do have illnesses that we hope Jesus would heal. ALL of us have a sickness caused by sin. Jesus is the only one who can heal that.
Friend, if you’re not yet a follower of Christ, or if you don’t consider yourself a Christian, how do you view your life, your sin, your good days, your bad days? Do you see your sin as something that is just a mixture of minor flaws and errors? Do you see your sin as a barrier between you and God? Frankly, that’s how Scripture discusses sin. But the joy that we have in Scripture is that Jesus came to deal with our sin, to heal our sin problem. He saves us into a relationship with him and into a body of people who can help us to grow in holiness. Just as these people came to be healed, I pray that you too would come to be healed of your sin. Repent, believe, be baptized, be healed!
When we ask the question about who the people of the Kingdom are, we ultimately have to recognize that…
They were called
Luke 6:13 ESV
And when day came, he called his disciples…
As we saw a couple of weeks ago, there is an attractiveness to Jesus. There was something in His character/demeanor/charisma that drew people to him. But there is a sense too, in which we have to acknowledge that Kingdom people are called people. People whom the Holy Spirit prompts to respond to the truth of the gospel. People whom the Holy Spirit summons.
Romans 8:29–30 “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”
So, we’ve seen a glimpse of who makes up this kingdom, the next section prompts us to ask the question…
What are the values of the Kingdom? (20-26)
Every kingdom or nation has its own set of values. For example, the United States is typically known for its rugged individualism. Other nations are known for their communal care. Still others are known for their profound work ethic or precision. And yet others are known for their traditions.
But in these verses, Jesus begins a sermon and lays out some values that mark Kingdom people and values that don’t.
Luke 6:20–26 ESV
And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said:
“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
“Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied.
“Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.
“Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.
“But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.
“Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry.
“Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.
“Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.
Here in this passage, Luke records a set of “beatitudes” - similar that of the beatitudes found in Matthew 5. But he also presents this as a sort of blessing and warning - similar to something that Moses did in Lev. 26 and Deuteronomy 27-28 where he outlined blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience to the covenantal law. But here, Jesus presents a balanced instruction where he outlines four blessings and four warnings. It seems like we can boil these down to two big values.
The first value is that...
Kingdom people have an eternal perspective
Whether it’s financial poverty or poverty of spirit, physical hunger or a spiritual desire, mourning over loss or over our sin, or exclusion and ridicule here - an eternal perspective demonstrates that all of these injustices and pains will be made eternally right.
Beloved, we may not like circumstances as they are - whether it’s a health challenge, or a difficult work environment (those who work in the government are certainly feeling that now), challenges with children, Jesus seems to be urging us to have a longer view, an eternal perspective.
In the warnings or the woes that Jesus presents here, he helps us to keep a proper perspective on the things of earth. Wealth, earthly supply, mocking laughter, flattering words are all temporary. If our hope and identity is wrapped up in those things then we will eternally find ourselves empty and mournful.
The second,
Kingdom people long for what only God can provide
As Jesus presents these blessings and woes, he seems to discuss the difference between finding your satisfaction in the temporary things of earth or in the everlasting things that God provides.
the rich have all the comforts that material wealth can provide, but the poor will find God’s provision for eternity.
Those who have satisfaction now - in food, in stuff, in status - will find themselves hungry. Those who hunger now - will be satisfied by God.
Those who mockingly laugh now will end up mourning and weeping in an eternal separation from God. Yet, those who mourn now will laugh with joy in the eternal Kingdom as God brings healing to all sorrows and comforts every mournful tear.
Some of us are so interested in acceptance here that we will do or say anything to receive it. But Jesus says that we are blessed when we are rejected by the world because we are accepted by Him.
Mike McKinley notes that in light of these blessings and woes, Kingdom people need to make an adjustment or to use his word, a recalibration.
Luke 1–12 for You Recalibration Required
Jesus’ words here call us to radically recalibrate the way we think about what it means to live well here and now. The default state of the human heart is to treasure whatever comfort, prosperity, and ease is available in this life. But Jesus warns us that those who make themselves at home in this world will face disastrous consequences when the kingdom of God comes in its fullness. Jesus does not imagine a situation where a person can enjoy both the present pleasures of this world and also the joys of the next world. We must choose our allegiance and the location of our ultimate joy
Where do our values need to be recalibrated? Where do we need to repent and turn toward the values of the kingdom?
The next question we get to ask is…
What are the ethics of the Kingdom? (27-45)
In other words, what are the principles that guide how Kingdom people act?
Jesus weaves his way through several things with may be worth meditating on later today or in Community groups this week. His general topics seem to touch on two primary points - love and judgment or holiness.
I think it’s important to recognize that this is not some recipe for behavior modification. These are not actions that should be done in order to make us act like better Christians (McKinley). These are principles or ethics that mark someone who has been transformed. Jesus, in fact, illustrates this point as he discusses the fruit that is seen in someone’s life. Let’s look toward the end of his sermon.
Luke 6:43–45 ESV
“For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Fruit is born from the substance of the tree. As people who are seeking to learn from Jesus, we have to begin by asking if we are in fact Jesus people. Have we been redeemed? Are we being transformed? Do we have a new heart? Or are we simply trying to put up a facade of good fruit on a bad tree? When difficulty comes, the facade will fall and reality will set in.
But a life that has been born again and is in the process of transformation or sanctification will begin to act and live differently. The ethics or principles of the Kingdom will truly only be evident in people who are being renewed by Jesus.
The main part of Jesus sermon helps us to see that…
Kingdom people love - including their enemies - demonstrated in good works, blessing, prayer, and generosity
Luke 6:27–36 ESV
“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
“If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
We can be inclined to refer to our enemies as those who are fully against us. Maybe it’s nations who are antagonizing our nation. Maybe it’s political parties that seem to be working against what we may think are good ways forward. Maybe it’s that boss who is holding you back or not recognizing you or that classmate who seems to pick on you relentlessly.
Sometimes our enemies feel like those closest to us - the ones who can wound us deeply - in our own homes, sitting in the pew next to us. In our pain and hurt, those are the ones that are most difficult to love. And yet Jesus urges us to love our enemies, pray for them, to bless them. It’s not that he wants to reward their bad behavior, but he wants to grow our faith in God’s sovereignty and leave things in his capable hands. He wants to show that Kingdom people are different. The eternal perspective gives us confidence in knowing that God will ultimately make all things new.
Proverbs 25:21–22 ES
If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat,
and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,
for you will heap burning coals on his head,
and the Lord will reward you.
Does this mean that those who are being abused should just take it? No. I think that’s where the community of faith can step in and provide help - with counsel, refuge, mediation and more.
Should we give money to people who will use it to feed their addictions? Not necessarily. Maybe a better response is to spend time with that one - maybe using those funds to share a meal with him or her (I’d recommend doing this in same-gender settings).
We do need wisdom in this application, but the immediate responses of the world in which we live may not be the most Kingdom minded responses. That being said, we also have the glorious example of Jesus, who, when he was wrongfully accused prayed:
Luke 23:34 ESV
And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
When we are hurting, or being attacked - service or blessing or prayer feels like the last thing we want to do. In fact we are inclined to lash out or criticize or accuse. To this, Jesus urges us toward…
Personal holiness, before pointing fingers
In the next section of the sermon, Jesus states…
Luke 6:37–42 ESV
“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
He also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.
It is naturally easy for us to see the flaws in other people. After all, we often judge others by their actions and give ourselves the benefit of the doubt and judge ourselves by our intentions. Jesus seems to be urging us to make a careful assessment of our own holiness before we judge or condemn others.
I don’t think he’s saying that we should not help each other, but I do think that the natural outworking of dealing with our own junk before God will prompt us to confront others with humility. Taking the plank out of our own eye might include repentance/confession before God.
1 John 1:9 ESV
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
This might also include confession to a brother or sister in Christ or to our Community Group. In that, we have people who can pray for us or hold us accountable and with our permission, help us remove the plank.
James 5:16 ESV
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
So, in light of all of this, we are challenged to ask the question…
What should we do now? (46-49)
Let’s go back to the beginning of the main part of Jesus’ sermon. After his opening blessings and warnings, Jesus states:
Luke 6:27 ESV
“But I say to you who hear…
He then goes on to communicate about all that we’ve been considering today. He concludes his message by stating…
Luke 6:46–49 ESV
“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”
Over the course of reflecting on this passage, the Holy Spirit may have brought to your mind areas of your life that need to be adjusted, relationships that need to be mended, sins that need to be confessed, values that need to be shifted, ethics that need to be recalibrated. The question becomes, what are you, what am I, going to do with that? Will we leave it as a passing thought or will we begin to make a change?
To put it another way, does your life look more like a house of cards that will crumble at the least bit of pressure or is it established on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ, ready to stand for eternity.
There is no sin too big that God can’t or won’t forgive. Repentance, confession - takes humility, but it also takes courage - a willingness to make a clean start and to do so with the help of others.
We began by thinking about the fact that on Palm Sunday or the Triumphal Entry, Jesus was welcomed by a throng of people who were clamoring for a King. They may have wanted a ruler who would put the nation in a different place. But as we’ve seen, Jesus is a new kind of King for a new kind of Kingdom. His reign is not limited by political or geographic boundaries. His reign permeates through people who have heard his word and obey. Have we heard? Are we obedient?
Let’s Pray
Benediction
Psalm 72:18–19 LSB
Blessed be Yahweh God, the God of Israel,
Who alone works wondrous deeds.
And blessed be His glorious name forever;
And may the whole earth be filled with His glory.
Amen, and Amen.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
Read: Luke 6:17-49.
(CG leaders, given the length of this week’s text, it may be wise to limit or focus the discussion on some of the verses that leap out at your group. The questions below cover the entire text, but feel free to narrow the scope for your group.)
1. What different groups made up the crowd to which Jesus gave this sermon? (6:17)
2. What effect did Jesus’ presence have on the crowd? (6:18–19)
3. Why did the crowd gather? (6:18–19)
4. What four groups did Jesus single out for receiving a blessing? (6:20–22)
5. What four groups did Jesus single out for woes? (6:24–26)
6. In what specific areas of life do Jesus’ promised blessings and woes touch you?
7. How many positive responses to mistreatment did Jesus command? (6:27–31)
8. What different kinds of mistreatment did Jesus refer to in His commands? (6:28–30)
9. Which statement best summarizes what Jesus said about responding to enemies? (6:31)
10. Who are we imitating when we love our enemies? How? (6:36)
11. What specific promises did Jesus make? (6:37–38)
12. What is the main point of the parable of the plank and the speck of sawdust? (6:41–42)
13. What is a person who fails to see his or her own shortcomings? (6:42)
14. What do judging, condemning, forgiving, and giving have in common?
15. How does Jesus’ parable about trees and fruit relate to the other parts of His sermon (6:43-45)?
16. When was the last time someone helped you examine how your life reflects or doesn’t reflect the presence of Christ?
17. What do you think is the single most important decision when it comes to building a house? How does that relate to our lives with Christ?
18. What inconsistency did Jesus call to His followers’ attention? (6:46)
Sources:
Anyabwile, Thabiti. Exalting Jesus in Luke. Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2018.
Beeke, Joel R., and Paul M. Smalley. Reformed Systematic Theology: Man and Christ. Vol. 2. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2020.
Bock, Darrell L. Luke 1:1-9:50. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1999.
Easton, M. G. Illustrated Bible Dictionary and Treasury of Biblical History, Biography, Geography, Doctrine, and Literature. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1893.
Martin, John A. “Luke.” In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, edited by J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.
McKinley, Mike. Luke 1–12 for You. Edited by Carl Laferton. God’s Word for You. The Good Book Company, 2016.
Wilcock, Michael. The Savior of the World: The Message of Luke’s Gospel. The Bible Speaks Today. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1979.
Wiseman, D. J. “Tyre, Tyrus.” In New Bible Dictionary, edited by D. R. W. Wood, I. H. Marshall, A. R. Millard, and J. I. Packer. Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1996.
Wiseman, D. J. “Sidon.” In New Bible Dictionary, edited by D. R. W. Wood, I. H. Marshall, A. R. Millard, and J. I. Packer. Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1996.
Young, E. J., and F. F. Bruce. “Sabbath.” In New Bible Dictionary, edited by D. R. W. Wood, I. H. Marshall, A. R. Millard, J. I. Packer, and D. J. Wiseman. Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1996.
