Immediately after making His selection, Jesus and His newly appointed apostles gathered with the other disciples, as well as a great multitude who had come to the place where Jesus was, and there He healed many of the sick and cast out demons of the afflicted (6:17-18). Luke also writes that “the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all” (6:19). A similar situation occurred with a lady who had an issue of blood in Mark 5:25-34. After these events, Luke provides an abbreviated account of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount which is fully recorded in Matthew 5-7. Rather than mentioning all nine beatitudes (characteristics of those with true faith) as in Matthew 5:3-12, Luke only writes concerning four of them and contrasts them with four opposing woes: poor/rich (6:20, 24), hunger/full (6:21a, 25a), weep/laugh (6:21b, 25b), and persecution/praise (6:22-23, 26). When Jesus spoke of being poor, he was not referring to material things, but spiritual. Those who recognize their own sinfulness are ready to receive God’s forgiveness. Being hungry simply refers to a desire to be filled by the things of God instead of the temporary offerings of the world. Weeping is the condition of those who recognize their sinful condition before a holy God. Persecution may be the result for those who stand for what is right and oppose what is evil.
As Luke continues to abbreviate Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, he highlights the character of those who follow in His ways, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise” (6:27-31). It is easy to love those who are similar to us, but it is necessary to receive God’s help in order to love those who oppose us (6:32-36). Jesus also warns against judging others (6:37a), condemning others (6:37b), failing to forgive others (6:37c), and refusing to give to others (6:38). These rules given by Jesus are basically a surrender of all personal rights in order to exemplify humility and love. Modeling these characteristics seems impossible, humanly speaking; however, God’s Spirit will enable those who have genuine faith to react in these ways.
Dear God, may I surrender my rights to You so that I can demonstrate humility and love toward others.
