Big Idea: Where’s your focus? Is it on things in this world? Or is it on the world to come? Jesus teaches us here, that what we are waiting for is far superior to what we have now. This is a hope to the poor and a warning to the rich. If your security is in your earthly accomplishments, you have missed the eternal realities of the world in which we live. Jesus wants to re-orient you.
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Luke 6:20 (ESV) — 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.
Jesus rightly interprets every situation on this earth in light of what will be and not by what may be now.
How do we conduct ourselves in this world while representing the king of the next? We keep one eye on our responsibilities and one eye on the God who created the good things that we are now responsible for.
Luke 6:29–31 (ESV) — 29 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. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. 31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
It is to the poor, in this world, that he says blessed are the poor. It is to the hungry that he says, blessed are the hungry. It is to those who weep now, because they have had to see their child go without far too often, that he says, blessed are those who weep now. Jesus delivers this sermon on the plain to the poor, to the hungry, and to the weeping.
Luke 6:20 (ESV) — 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.
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Luke 6:21 (ESV) — 21 “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.
2 Corinthians 4:17–18 (ESV) — 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
These woes are addressed to those who find their fulfillment in money.
The second group consists of those who are materially well off and enjoy the world’s favour. Jesus’ expression of sorrow for their condition is not directed against prosperity in itself but against those who enjoy such prosperity, are satisfied with it, and do not look beyond the satisfaction of their own desires. In general, however, the followers of Jesus, like the godly people described in the Psalms and wisdom literature, are literally poor and down-trodden, whereas many of those who reject the gospel enjoy material plenty. Riches can keep men out of the kingdom of God, and disciples must be prepared for poverty by worldly standards.
Luke 12:13-21
What will be is exceedingly better than what is.
Questions to Consider
In what ways is Jesus teaching you about the permanence of eternal things?
How might you use the good things that God has given to you to be a blessing to others?
