In Luke 6:20-49, we find one of the longest records of Jesus’ teaching and preaching in the book of Luke. Many people call this the “Sermon on the Plain.” Being very similar to what we are studying this year in the “Sermon on the Mount” in Matthew 5-7, this teaching is absolutely phenomenal and life-changing. The material Jesus presents is all about us, our relationship with God, and the lives we are living each day. It has the power to transform us if we will allow it to. As we think about this material over the next three weeks, let’s think about ourselves: How can I better align myself with the characteristics of the disciple Jesus presents here? Jesus’ teaching in Luke 6:20-49 can be divided into three major sections: blessings and woes (6:20-26), love (6:27-38), and righteousness (6:39-49).
Jesus begins by discussing blessings and woes. In Luke 6:20-23, He talks about being “blessed.” This describes someone who is happy, joyful, content, and able to find fulfillment. In verses 24-26, Jesus discusses “woes,” a word that expresses pain, pity, and the idea that danger is near. Jesus’ blessings and woes are designed to be viewed from both a physical and spiritual perspective.
First, Jesus contrasts being poor with being rich. He says, “Blessed are you who are poor” (Luke 6:20). Jesus is not simply talking about financial poverty. He has in mind people who are willing to trust in and remain faithful to God—people who recognize that they are nothing without God. Their blessing is that “Yours is the kingdom of God.” The contrast is found in Luke 6:24: “But woe to you who are rich.” Jesus is not saying that it is sinful to be wealthy. What is sinful is allowing our riches to come between us and God. When we believe that our money and possessions mean that we have everything we need, our physical riches become spiritually dangerous. Jesus says that those who allow riches to trump their relationship with God have already received their consolation.
Second, Jesus contrasts being hungry with being full. “Blessed are you who are hungry now” (Luke 6:21). Again, Jesus has both a physical and spiritual hunger in mind. We should hunger for God, His Word, and righteousness (Matthew 5:6). The blessing is that “you shall be satisfied.” The warning is found in Luke 6:25: “Woe to you who are full now.” The danger is developing an attitude that says, “I do not need God. I have everything I need.” Those who believe they need nothing spiritually now will ultimately discover their spiritual emptiness when they stand before God.
Third, Jesus contrasts weeping with laughing. “Blessed are you who weep now” (Luke 6:21). Jesus is not saying that there is anything wrong with crying. He is talking about people who endure hardship and those who mourn over their own sins in repentance. The promise is that “you shall laugh.” One day, when we reach heaven, the words of Revelation 21:4 will become reality; there will be no mourning, crying, or pain. But Jesus warns, “Woe to you who laugh now” (Luke 6:25). He is describing those who boast, gloat, and laugh at the suffering of others or make jokes about their sins. Their laughter will ultimately be turned into mourning and weeping when they stand before God in judgment.
Finally, Jesus contrasts being persecuted with being well-spoken of. Jesus says, “Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man!” (Luke 6:22). Notice that Jesus says “when,” not “if.” Persecution is something Christians can expect. Yet we can rejoice because our reward is great in heaven. The contrast is found in Luke 6:26: “Woe to you, when all people speak well of you.” Being a Christian is not about being popular or having everyone like us. Not everyone will speak well of us when we faithfully follow Jesus (James 4:4; Galatians 1:10).
As we think about Jesus’ teaching, here is the question we need to leave with: Are you living a life of blessing or woe? Are you poor in spirit, or have your riches trumped your relationship with God? Do you hunger for righteousness, or do you believe that you do not need anything spiritually? Do you have a heart willing to weep over sin and hardship, or do you boastfully laugh and treat sin as a joke? Are you willing to be persecuted because of Jesus, or does everyone speak well of you? Jesus’ teaching challenges us to examine our lives honestly. The question is not simply what we are receiving from God. The question is how we are responding to God. Let’s choose to live a life of blessing, a life that trusts God, hungers for righteousness, mourns over sin, and remains faithful to Jesus regardless of what others may say.
Tyler Alverson
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