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Knowing The Word in Luke 6:20-23


The Beatitudes

20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said:

“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

21 “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied.

“Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.

22 “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! 23 Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.


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Together with the seven woes (in tomorrow’s teaching), these beatitudes made a mockery of the world’s values and still do today. Jesus addressed them to his disciples. They were ready to hear what he had to say, having spent significant time with him. Others were not ready to hear or to understand. When he said, “blessed are you who are poor,” Jesus was not blessing poverty. He blessed his disciples who were poor and without resources. They relied on God and would need to continue relying on him. Rich people tend to be self-reliant, not so the poor, so they can enter the kingdom now as they rely upon God and not themselves. When Jesus spoke of hunger, he means those who hunger for righteousness, not food. In Matthew’s beatitudes, Jesus added “and thirst for righteousness.”


Those who wept were blessed because they were sensitive to evil and the world’s rebellion against God. Think about the times when Jesus wept in the gospel accounts. He wept at Lazarus’ grave, knowing death is a consequence of the fall, and when he looked upon Jerusalem, knowing her fate of destruction because of her rebellion against the Messiah.


The beatitude about hate is about persecution for those who attach themselves to Jesus, his disciples—both in the first century and in the twenty-first century. Why are they blessed, you may ask? People see them reflecting Jesus. They are like prophets because prophets call out people who do not follow the ways of God. Evil does not like the goodness of God. Hate does not like God’s mercy, kindness, gentleness, love, and self-control. What is not of God does not like what is of God. Followers of Jesus can be absurdly happy because they reflect the Messiah, and yet they will paradoxically never be out of trouble because of their reflection.


Application

Think of the qualities of Jesus that are most appealing to you. Write them down and then consider where they appear, or could appear, in your life. Also, read 1 Corinthians 13 about love. How can you practice this kind of love in your life?


Prayer

Lord Jesus, I want to be more like you day by day. I want to walk as a child of the Light of the World who shares your light with others. Will you increase the fruit of the Spirit in me that I may grow in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23)?

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