BEATITUDES & WOES

Posted by Pastor Greg Allen on February 26, 2020 under AM Bible Study |

AM Bible Study Group: February 26, 2020 from Luke 6:17-26

Our Lord proclaims the future blessedness of those who suffer for Him, and the future woefulness of those who savor this world instead of Him.

(All Scripture is taken from The New King James Version, unless otherwise indicated).

Our Lord is a mighty King. He reigns over a kingdom that is not of this world. And that kingdom has principles of conduct which are distinct from those of this world—and which distinguish the King’s subjects from the people of this world. We come now to the portion of Luke’s Gospel—Luke 6:17-49—in which the King declares those kingdom principles to us.

Luke tells us about what happened right after Jesus chose the twelve apostles;

And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases, as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed. And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all.

Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said:

“Blessed are you poor,
For yours is the kingdom of God.
Blessed are you who hunger now,
For you shall be filled.
Blessed are you who weep now,
For you shall laugh.
Blessed are you when men hate you,
And when they exclude you,
And revile you, and cast out your name as evil,
For the Son of Man’s sake.
Rejoice in that day and leap for joy!
For indeed your reward is great in heaven,
For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.

“But woe to you who are rich,
For you have received your consolation.
Woe to you who are full,For you shall hunger.
Woe to you who laugh now,
For you shall mourn and weep.
Woe to you when all men speak well of you,
For so did their fathers to the false prophets (Luke 6:17-24).

* * * * * * * * * *

There are a couple of important questions to ask as we come to this passage.

First, we should ask, “Is this occasion—and the things the Lord says in it—the same occasion as ‘The Sermon on The Mount’ that we find in Matthew 5-7?” Many Bible teachers believe that it is the same event. The teaching in both passages is—in many respects—the same; and the situations in which they occur seem very similar. Both occur near the beginning of our Lord’s earthly ministry; and both occur in the same kind of setting—that is, in relation to a mountain. But other Bible teachers see them as distinct events. The teaching, in Matthew, is given on a mountain (Matthew 5:1); but here, the teaching occurs on a plain after He came down from a mountain (Luke 6:17). The event in Matthew occurs before the Lord called the twelve apostles (Matthew 10:1-4), and the Luke event occurs after He called them (vv. 12-16). And the teaching in the Matthew passage is much longer—taking up three chapters; while the teaching in Luke is shorter—and in words and sayings that are distinct from Matthew’s account.

When we compare all of the Gospels, we find that there were times when our Lord taught the same sorts of things on different occasions. It seems reasonable, then, to see the Luke event as a different one from the Matthew event; but with the teaching in both events being very clearly related.

Another important question to ask is, “Is the teaching in this passage is meant to be applied to followers of Jesus in our time today?” Some Bible teachers believe that it is not. They say that it gives us the principles of a future kingdom on earth that has not yet arrived—a kingdom that has to do with the restored nation of Israel after our Lord’s return. They say that the things the Lord says in this passage are not intended for Gentile believers. But other Bible teachers point out that the things our Lord says in this passage involve matters that are out of character to that future restored kingdom; such as hungering and weeping and persecution from enemies. And as followers of Jesus, we are to view all Scripture as “given by inspiration of God,” and “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).

It seems to be best, then, to view these words of our Lord as speaking of the principles of His kingdom yet to be established on earth, but still very much applicable to us as His followers in the church age today.

These words of instructions from our Lord are a unit—having been spoken on just one occasion (see 7:1). In them, He speaks of “blessings and woes” (vv. 20-26), of the love we are to have for our enemies (vv. 27-36), of refraining from judging others (v. 37), of giving generously (v. 38), of living in an non-hypocritical way (vv. 39-42), of how a tree is known by its fruit (vv. 43-45), and—as a closing—the importance of putting our Lord’s teaching into action (vv. 46-49). These are the ethics of the kingdom reign of Jesus—both now and in the future.

Our Lord begins by proclaiming the future blessedness of those who suffer for Him, and the future woefulness of those who savor this world apart from Him. Notice first …

1. THE AUTHORITY OF THE ONE WHO PROCLAIMS (vv. 17-19).

In the last passage we looked at, we saw that He went up to a mountain to pray, and then selected the twelve apostles from out of the crowd of His many disciples (vv. 12-16). Perhaps He had taken the twelve up the mountain again with Him after He chose them; because Luke tells us; “And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon … (v. 17a). The cities of Tyre and Sidon are in the outer-reaches—where the Gentile world begins. And so, our Lord’s influence was truly reaching out to the world.

And Luke tells us this about those who came; that they were those “who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases, as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed. And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all” (vv. 17b-19). Our Lord was showing forth His power in the way that—on this occasion—He healed everyone who came to Him. He was showing forth His spiritual authority in that He cast out demons. We’re told that power went out from Him and He “healed them all”. There was no disease He could not heal, and no spiritual force that He could not command.

This is important for us to notice in connection with our Lord’s teaching in this passage. It shows us that He had the authority to say the remarkable things He said. He truly is the King who gives forth the principles of His kingdom. Whoever builds their lives on His teaching—as He said in verses 46-49—will be building on solid rock.

And that leads us to the first thing He tells us in this lengthy ‘sermon on the plain’. These words are a general introduction to the ethics of His kingdom. He first gives …

2. THE PROCLAMATION OF BLESSEDNESS (vv. 20-23).

The word “blessed” that He uses in these next few verses is makarios; a word that can be translated “fortunate” or “happy”. Our English name for our Lord’s teaching in this passage—’the Beatitudes’—comes from the Latin word beati; which means, “happy” (as in the adjective ‘beatific’; which means, “blissfully happy”). And so; these things are what the Lord Jesus Christ says will mark someone out as truly and gloriously happy and “blessed” in His kingdom.

We’re told, “Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said: ‘Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God’” (v. 20). The word “poor” (ptŏxos) describes someone who is miserably poor and beggarly. It could be speaking of someone who is, in the estimation of this world, pitiful and inferior—a real ‘nobody’. Jesus Himself knew about this; because as He walked on this earth, He had no place to lay His head. But He affirms that His followers should consider themselves very happy and fortunate; because theirs is the kingdom of God—a kingdom far greater than that of this world.

Jesus then says, “Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be filled” (v. 21a). Note that, in His words, there is a call to have a forward look in the light of a present reality. They are hungry now—they feel like they don’t have enough today; they feel unsatisfied with the things of this world; and perhaps may not have enough to eat. He Himself felt hunger and thirst. But His followers shall be made full and satisfied in the future realization of His kingdom.

Jesus speaks not only of material needs and of the need for food, but also of emotional needs. He says, “Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh” (v. 21b). Our time on earth as followers of Jesus is often characterized by sorrow. We suffer a lot of tribulation. There is much sickness. We often grieve the terrible losses that death brings. Jesus Himself experienced such things; because we’re told that He was “a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3). But that is only “now”. There is a time when we will—in contrast to the weeping—one day be rejoicing. His kingdom promises future joy and celebration that is everlasting.

And Jesus speaks of the experience of suffering hostility and persecution for His name’s sake. “Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake” (v. 22). Anyone who identifies themselves with Jesus in this world knows what that’s like. It hurts to be called names, and to loose friends, and to be rejected by family. Jesus felt that too—more than anyone! But when that happens, He said, “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, for in like manner their fathers did to the prophets” (vv. 22-23). Because of our future, we can count it an honor today when we suffer shame for His name (Acts 5:41). That was how the prophets of old suffered. We’re in great company; and we will be rewarded greatly for our faithfulness.

As followers of Jesus in this world, we suffer want, and hunger, and sorrow, and persecution. But we are to know—in all of it—that

our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).

But that then leads to …

3. THE PROCLAMATION OF WOE (vv. 24-26).

The word “woe” that follows in our Lord’s teaching is a word that we really don’t need to have translated. It’s the word ouai (or “Oye!”) It means, “How horrible or sorrowful it will be!” There are four “woes” in our Lord’s teaching; and they parallel the “blessings” that He just mentioned.

First, in contrast to the ‘blessed poor’, He says, “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation” (v. 24). This should not be taken as a condemnation of all rich people. Many rich people love Jesus and serve Him with what He has given them. Rather, this is speaking of those who trust in their riches in this temporal realm and who ignore the true riches of the eternal kingdom of Jesus. Such people have all the comfort they’re going to get right now. The story of ‘the rich fool’ in Luke 12:13-21 tells us of the danger that lies ahead for anyone “who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God .”

Then, in contrast to the ‘blessed hungry’, Jesus says, “Woe to you who are full, for you shall hunger” (v. 25a). Many of us live in a time and in a country where we go to bed every night with a belly filled with good food. We should be thankful. Jesus is not condemning that. Rather, He is speaking of those who find all of their satisfaction in the sinful things of this world—in material riches and fleshly pleasures—whose ‘god’, as Paul puts it, ‘is their belly’ (Philippians 3:19). They may be satisfied now; but in His eternal kingdom, they will suffer want. Hebrews 11:25 tells us that there are “pleasures of sin for a season”. But Proverbs 16:11 tells us that at God’s “right hand are pleasures forevermore”. Woe to those who fill themselves with the former … and forsake the latter!

Then, in contrast to the ‘blessed weepers’, Jesus says, “Woe to you who laugh now,

for you shall mourn and weep” (v. 25b). The ‘laughing now’ is in contrast to those who sorrow over sin now, or who suffer tribulation now in their obedience to Jesus. For those who trust Jesus now, sorrow will turn to joy. But for those who avoid all the sorrow that comes from following Jesus in humble obedience—for those who seek only to laugh and live-it-up now in disregard to the kingdom of Jesus—the sorrow of judgment and mourning of eternal loss will be dreadful. There is no laughter in the ‘outer darkness’ of God’s eternal judgment—but only ‘weeping and gnashing of teeth’ (Matthew 8:12).

And finally, in contrast to those who are persecuted for Jesus’ sake, He says, “Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets” (v. 26). This isn’t talking about those who are spoken of favorably for righteousness’ sake. This is speaking of the way the world applauds those who follow after its ways, and esteems those who join it in its rebellion against God’s commandments. Jesus once told His disciples, “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (John 15:19). That was why the world in ancient times killed off the prophets of God. They spoke against the sins of this world. In a world of sin, the people of this world will speak well of those who approve their sin. \ Woe not only to those who approve of sin, but also to those who receive the approval of sinners!

* * * * * * * * * *

These words from our Lord are remarkable. They set before us the most important choice anyone can make—to either follow Jesus, suffer with Him now for a time, and be blessed by Him forever; or to reject Him, enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, and then suffer eternal woe.

It’s far wiser to be poor, hungry, tearful, and hated for Jesus’ sake, for a short while; so that we may one day soon be made eternally rich, eternally satisfied, eternally joyful, and eternally honored in the glories of His kingdom.

May the Lord Jesus help us to live now for His future promise of blessedness.

EA