Luke 6:20-26

And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be you poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you that hunger now: for you shall be filled. Blessed are you that weep now: for you shall laugh. Blessed are you, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice you in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in Heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. But woe unto you that are rich! for you have received your consolation. Woe unto you that are full! for you shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for you shall mourn and weep. Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

— Luke 6:20-26

The discourse of our Lord, which we have now begun, resembles, in many respects — His well-known Sermon on the Mount. The resemblance, in fact, is so striking that many have concluded that Luke and Matthew are reporting one and the same discourse — and that Luke is giving us, in an abridged form, what Matthew reports at length.

There seems no sufficient ground for this conclusion. The occasions on which the two discourses were delivered, were entirely different. Our Lord's repetition of the same great lesson, in almost the same words, on two different occasions — is nothing extraordinary. It is unreasonable to suppose that none of His mighty teachings were ever delivered more than once. In the present case, the repetition is very significant. It shows us the great and deep importance of the lessons which the two discourses contain.

Let us first notice in these verses — who they are, whom the Lord Jesus pronounced BLESSED. The list is a remarkable and startling one. It singles out those who are "poor," and those who "hunger" — those who "weep," and those who are "hated" by man. These are the people to whom the great Head of the Church says, "Blessed are you!"

We must take good heed that we do not misunderstand our Lord's meaning, when we read these expressions. We must not for a moment suppose that the mere fact of being poor, and hungry, and sorrowful, and hated by man — will entitle anyone to lay claim to an interest in Christ's blessing.

The poverty here spoken of — is a poverty accompanied by grace. The need here spoken of — is a need entailed by faithful adherence to Jesus. The afflictions here spoken of — are the afflictions of the Gospel. The persecution here spoken of — is persecution for the Son of Man's sake. Such need, and poverty, and affliction, and persecution — were the inevitable consequences of faith in Christ, at the beginning of Christianity. Thousands had to give up everything in this world, because of their belief in Jesus. It was their case which Jesus had specially in view in this passage. He desired to supply them, and all who suffer like them for the Gospel's sake — with special comfort and consolation.

Let us notice, secondly, in these verses — who they are, to whom our Lord addresses the solemn words, "WOE unto you!" Once more we read expressions which at first sight seem most extraordinary. "Woe unto you who are rich! Woe unto you who are full! Woe unto you who laugh! Woe unto you — when all men shall speak well of you!" Stronger and more cutting sayings than these, cannot be found in the New Testament.

Here, however, no less than in the preceding verses, we must take care that we do not misapprehend our Lord's meaning. We are not to suppose that the possession of riches, and a rejoicing spirit, and the good word of man — are necessarily proofs that people are not Christ's disciples. Abraham and Job were rich. David and Paul had their seasons of rejoicing. Timothy was one who "had a good report from those that were outside." All these, we know — were true servants of God. All these were blessed in this life — and shall receive the blessing of the Lord in the day of His appearing.

Who then, are the people to whom our Lord says, "Woe unto you?" They are the men who refuse to seek treasure in Heaven — because they love the good things of this world better; and will not give up their money, if need requires, for Christ's sake. They are the men who prefer the joys and so-called happiness of this world — to joy and peace in believing; and will not risk the loss of the one in order to gain the other. They are those who love the praise of man — more than the praise of God, and will turn their backs on Christ, rather than not keep in with the world. These are the kind of men whom our Lord had in view when He pronounced the solemn words, "Woe, woe unto you!"

He knew well that there were thousands of such people among the Jews — thousands who, notwithstanding His miracles and sermons — would love the world better than Him. He knew well that there would always be thousands of such in His professing Church — thousands who, though convinced of the truth of the Gospel — would never give up anything for its sake. To all such He delivers a solemn warning. "Woe, woe unto you!"

One mighty lesson stands out plainly on the face of these verses. May we all lay it to heart, and learn wisdom! That lesson is the utter contrariety between the mind of Christ — and the common opinions of mankind; the entire variance between the thoughts of Jesus — and the prevailing thoughts of the world.

The conditions of life which the world reckons desirable — are the very conditions upon which the Lord pronounces "woes." Poverty, and hunger, and sorrow, and persecution — are the very things which man labors to avoid. Riches, and fullness, and merriment, and popularity — are precisely the things which men are always struggling to attain.

When we have said all, in the way of qualifying, explaining, and limiting our Lord's words — there still remain two sweeping assertions, which flatly contradict the current doctrine of mankind. The state of life which our Lord blesses — the world cordially dislikes. The people to whom our Lord says, "Woe unto you" — are the very people whom the world admires, praises, and imitates. This is a solemn fact. It ought to raise great searchings of heart within us.

Let us leave the whole passage with honest self-inquiry and self-examination. Let us ask ourselves what we think of the wonderful declarations that it contains. Can we subscribe to what our Lord says? Are we of one mind with Him?

Do we really believe that poverty and persecution, endured for Christ's sake — are positive blessings? Do we really believe that riches and worldly enjoyments, and popularity among men, when sought for more than salvation, or preferred to the praise of God — are a certain curse? Do we really think that the favor of Christ, with trouble and the world's persecution — is better than having money, and merriment, and a good name among men — without Christ?

These are most serious questions, and deserve a most serious answer. The passage before us is eminently one which tests the reality of our Christianity. The truths it contains, are truths which no unconverted man can love and receive. Happy are those who have found them truths by experience, and can say "Amen!" to all of our Lord's declarations.

Whatever men may please to think, those whom Jesus blesses, are blessed — and those whom Jesus does not bless, will be cast out for evermore!