Blessings and Woes
TRANSLATION
(20) And looking at his disciples, he said, “Blessed are you who are poor, for to you belongs the kingdom of God. (21) Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. (22) Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you, insult you, and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man. (23) Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward in heaven will be great, for that is how their forefathers treated the prophets.
(24) “But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. (25) Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will hunger. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. (26) Woe to you when all people speak well of you, for that is how their forefathers treated false prophets.”
OBSERVATIONS
In this segment, Luke’s version of Jesus’ “beatitudes,” repetitions include “blessed,” four times in three verses (vss. 20, 21, & 22) and “woe,” also four times in three verses (vss. 24, 25, & 26). Note the juxtapositions of “poor” and “rich” (vss. 20 & 24), “hungry” and “well fed” (vss. 21 & 25), “weep” and “mourn” vs. “laugh” (vss. 21 & 24). Identifying those whom Jesus had in mind as he spoke these words of commendation and condemnation helps us grasp the meaning of his words.
OUTLINE
I. Jesus pronounced blessings on the disadvantaged. (20-23)
II. Subsequently, Jesus pronounced woes on the privileged. (24-26)
IDEA STATEMENT
God blesses those who earnestly seek Christ’s kingdom no matter what the cost, but pronounces woes on the wealthy and complacent.
APPLICATION
Both in Matthew’s longer account of the Sermon on the Mount and in Luke’s more abbreviated version, Jesus’ message was primarily directed to his “disciples” (vs. 20), those attracted to his ministry and who sought to pattern their lives after his teachings and personal example. Jesus’ purpose in giving direction to those who were drawn to him was both to encourage them to seek the blessings God would pour out on those committed to the radical lifestyle he was calling them to follow as well as warning them of the consequences of failing to obey his words.
This World Is Not My Home, the title of a popular song written by country singer, Jim Reeves, effectively captures the essence of Jesus’ teaching in this passage. Once we have entered into a discipleship relationship with Christ, our values should be so transformed that we no longer yearn for the things those around us desire. Instead, we should make it our goal to seek the rewards of heaven and pursue the kind of lifestyle that reflects his glory and gratifies his heart.