3. THE WAY AND THE LIFE

3. THE WAY AND THE LIFE

Read Luke 6:17-36

• The Timing: According to Luke’s Gospel, Christ’s Sermon on the Mount quickly followed the designation of the twelve apostles. (Luke 6:12-17.)

• The Setting: Their introduction into ministry included encountering a sea of human suffering. (Matthew 4:23—5:1.)

This is what preceded the Sermon on the Mount; it was the disciples’ baptism of sorts into ministry. People are in excruciating pain and suffering out there. It was their introduction to ministry – an entire scene of suffering. God brought the disciples into that setting, so that they could be confronted with the injustices and unfairness of life.

• The Introductory Theme: An antithetical and exceeding future awaits the willing recipient who suffers now.

The exact opposite, but even exceeding future awaits those who are willing to receive it; who suffer now. Our gifts will be that of grace, and it will be far from fair.

The original Greek word for blessed is makarios, meaning “blessed, possessing the favor of God, that state of being marked by the fullness from God.” (Luke 6:20-23.)

Blessed – my favor is upon them. For those who trust Him in the midst of suffering when life is so unfair; don’t even doubt for a moment that they are His favorites, for that moment. Not loved more, but a certain amount of attention. Christ says “They are marked by me; I am not overlooking their suffering.”

1 Timothy 1:11 – Blessed God. God blesses because He is blessed. God never acts differently than who He is. He gives out of who He is; and what He always does is consistent with His character.

A hint of the unfair future for those with an unfair present

1. “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of heaven” (v. 20). [or God, NIV]

It is a word that means in its most literal sense, a physical kind of poverty; but it also means a poverty of soul; being destitute, terribly needy. One day they will open their eyes to the Kingdom of God; to the Royal Throne Room of Jesus Christ Himself, and they are going to have mansions in glory.

2. ”Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied” (v. 21).

The Greek word for hunger is peinas, meaning to be hungry, to be famished, to be starved.

Metaphorically it means to hunger (or long) after something other than literal food. God is always willing to hear our requests and wants to bless us. For the moment, the most precious moments we will ever spend on this planet, is when we sit back and are completely satisfied by the fullness of God, and cannot think of one single thing that we would ask. “Lord, I just want you.”

3. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh” (v. 21).

The closest portrayal or intimacy that we will share with God in heaven is marriage on earth.

Psalm 126:3, 5-6 – The Word of God says that we can have joy now. The promise is that if you sow in tears, you will reap with songs of joy. When we are going through life in agony, suffering, and pain; crawling our way through life; sowing the Word of God, you will come forth with joy. Those who weep now will laugh in heaven; but those who weep now can rejoice on earth.

4. “Blessed are you when you are hated, excluded, and rejected” (v. 22).

The original Greek word for exclude is aphorizo, meaning “to separate from or cast out of society.”

It is interesting that the Pharisees got their name from the same Greek word “aphorize” meaning “to separate.” In Jesus time, many of them twisted that meaning to exclude themselves to the masses; as if they were better than them. We are set apart unto God to be servants around us; and we can, because we know our identity in Christ (John 13). Our egos get in the way of our serving. We are directed to serve, not be set above them

Malachi 4:2

Until heaven, how do we show we are children of the Most High God (v. 35)?

Luke 6:32-36 - When we do those things, we show that we belong to Christ, and it becomes obvious to those around us. We are children of the Most High God when we live beyond what we are able in our nature.

• Love our enemies. Romans 12:9 adds a difficult little footnote: love must be sincere.

He didn’t just say “act it,” He said “I want it to be real.” We can change the way we think, and that will change the way we feel. When we begin to start thinking with the mind of Christ, it will change the way we feel toward others. He wants us to be real and sincere.

• Do good to those who hate us.

Romans 12:19-20 – “wrath” is a word that always includes “mercy.” Even when God handles something, he handles it with mercy. Be of benefit to those who have been unkind or acted as an enemy to us.

• Bless those who curse us.

The next time someone curses us, God has called us to turn around and bless them. It disarms them.

• Pray for those who mistreat us.

It is not just for them; it is for us. Pray the Scriptures and ask God for blessing over their lives.

• First Peter 3:8-9 offers a revolutionary perspective: “to this you were called.”

It is our calling to be kind to those who are unkind to us, to love those who don’t love us, to be kind to our enemies, to do good to those who mistreat us, and bless those who curse us.

We have to be willing to do the hard thing that we have been called to.