As we continue thinking about the teaching and preaching of Jesus in Luke 6, we come to the final section of what many people call the “Sermon on the Plain.” Over the past several weeks, we have considered the blessings and woes (Luke 6:20-26) and Jesus’ teaching about love (Luke 6:27-38), including His command to love our enemies. Now, in Luke 6:39-49, Jesus teaches us about righteousness.
First, Jesus teaches that righteousness means being careful about who you follow (Luke 6:39-40). Jesus asks, “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?” Physically, the answer is obvious. If a blind person leads another blind person, neither one can see where they are going. If they come to a pit or a cliff, they are both in danger. But Jesus is making a spiritual point. If you choose to follow someone who is spiritually blind, someone who is blind to who Jesus really is or blind to the simple truths taught in God’s Word, that person can lead you to destruction, regardless of how persuasive or attractive that person may be. Jesus continues with the illustration of a student and teacher: “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher” (Luke 6:40). We become like the people we consistently follow and listen to. That means we need to be careful about who we allow to influence us. There are many voices trying to lead us religiously. Instead of blindly following people, we should follow Jesus. Allow Him to take the lead in our lives. Rather than leading us toward destruction, Jesus will lead us to the Father (John 14:6).
Second, Jesus teaches that righteousness means being self-critical and self-correcting (Luke 6:41-42). Jesus uses the illustration of a speck and a log. Why are we so concerned about the small speck in our brother’s eye while completely ignoring the enormous log in our own eye? The meaning is simple: How can we be critical of or correct someone else when we have not first examined and corrected ourselves? Jesus calls this hypocrisy. It is hypocritical to be deeply offended by someone else’s sin while refusing to see anything wrong with the sin in our own lives. Jesus does not say that we can never help other people with their problems. Instead, He says that we must first remove the log from our own eye. Once we have done that, we will be able to see clearly enough to help remove the speck from our brother’s eye. If we want to help others spiritually, we first have to be willing to examine ourselves. We have to be self-critical and willing to correct what we find. When we remove the log from our own eye, we will be much more prepared to help someone else remove the speck from theirs.
Third, Jesus teaches that a righteous heart will produce good fruit (Luke 6:43-45). Jesus uses the simple illustration of a tree. A good tree does not produce bad fruit, and a bad tree does not produce good fruit. Figs do not grow on thorn bushes, and grapes do not grow on bramble bushes. “Each tree is known by its own fruit.” The point is that what is inside of us will eventually become evident in our lives. Jesus says, “For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45). We can spend a lot of time trying to put up a façade and cover up who we really are. But eventually, our hearts will reveal themselves through what we say and do. If we want to produce good fruit, we have to focus on our hearts. We need to guard our hearts (Proverbs 4:23), change the way that we think (Romans 12:2), and develop hearts that are righteous before God.
Finally, Jesus teaches that righteousness equals obedience (Luke 6:46-49). Jesus asks a powerful question: “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” It is easy to call Jesus “Lord.” It is easy to worship Him and sing songs about our love for Him. But Jesus asks whether we are actually willing to do what He says. If Jesus is truly our Lord, then we should be willing to obey Him. Jesus concludes with the illustration of two builders. The wise man comes to Jesus, hears His words, and does them. He is like a man who built his house on a solid foundation. When the flood came, the house stood firm. The foolish man hears Jesus’ words but does not do them. He is like a man who built his house without a foundation. When the flood came, the house fell, and its ruin was great. The difference between the two men was not what they heard. Both heard Jesus. The difference was what they did with what they heard.
So, what are we going to do with the teaching of Jesus in Luke 6? Are we going to hear His words and ignore them, or are we going to hear His words and do them? Are we going to build our lives on a solid foundation? Will we live lives of blessing instead of woe? Will we live lives of love and righteousness? Jesus has given us His teaching. Now, how are we going to respond to it?
-Tyler Alverson
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