Friends, we live in world that struggles with equality, justice, and allegiance. The world also struggled in the first century during the time when Jesus gave His Sermon on the Plain as we see in today’s passage. Keep in mind, Judea was under Roman rule, and their political control brought about social, economic, and religious tensions, their miliary had a heavy presence, and their taxes were unimaginable. This environment left the majority of people poor, sick, and in a state of great oppression. The minority were wealthy, powerful, and were thought to hold religious status. Jesus addresses all of this in His Sermon on the Plain, as people from all over Judea came to hear Him and to be healed by Him.
Notice that Jesus is speaking in present and future tense within His sermon. This means that His blessings are for all believers, then, now, and in the future. Those who are blessed are people who claim to belong to Jesus, whose identity, worth, and freedom are found in Him. The blessed find themselves dependent on Jesus, and we are fortunate to be a part of the dependent. When Jesus blesses the poor, hungry, sorrowful, and persecuted, it means He will put an end to all suffering for all eternity for those who claim their freedom in Him. On the other-hand, Jesus also warns those who are rich, self-indulgent, self-sufficient, and self-satisfied. Jesus is not upset with wealth, rather He warns not to allow the things of this world to cause false security, or to take His place. Our allegiance needs to be with Jesus, and nothing should replace the dependance, loyalty, trust, and oneness we have in Him.
Like those who gathered in Judea to hear from Jesus during His Sermon on the Plain, we too want to see Him, to be connected to Him, and to be healed by Him. The freedom we have in Christ allows us to remain dependent on Him and as a result we receive His blessings for all eternity.
Luke 6:17-26 (NLT)
Crowds Follow Jesus
17 When they came down from the mountain, the disciples stood with Jesus on a large, level area, surrounded by many of his followers and by the crowds. There were people from all over Judea and from Jerusalem and from as far north as the seacoasts of Tyre and Sidon. 18 They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those troubled by evil spirits were healed. 19 Everyone tried to touch him, because healing power went out from him, and he healed everyone.
The Beatitudes
20 Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said,
“God blesses you who are poor,
for the Kingdom of God is yours.
21 God blesses you who are hungry now,
for you will be satisfied.
God blesses you who weep now,
for in due time you will laugh.
22 What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man. 23 When that happens, be happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, their ancestors treated the ancient prophets that same way.
Sorrows Foretold
24 “What sorrow awaits you who are rich,
for you have your only happiness now.
25 What sorrow awaits you who are fat and prosperous now,
for a time of awful hunger awaits you.
What sorrow awaits you who laugh now,
for your laughing will turn to mourning and sorrow.
26 What sorrow awaits you who are praised by the crowds,
for their ancestors also praised false prophets.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for this Word that reminds us that we have a choice to either live dependent on You or to live dependent on this world. Holy Spirit, we are grateful to choose You and to have true freedom that can only be found in You, Jesus. So, please continue to allow our hearts to connect to You and to not only receive Your freedom, but to share it with others. We do not want to have false security, self-reliance, or to be divided in our allegiance. Continue to guide us to fully trust You, as You help to heal, shape, and keep us rooted in Your Truth. We ask all of this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.