March 30 – Reading Luke 6:12-26

Read and believe in Jesus.

“In those days, He went out to the mountain to pray, and all night He continued in prayer to God.” Luke 6:12

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The Gospel according to Luke 6:12-26

Review – In the last study, Jesus and the Pharisees/Scribes head-butted about two aspects of Sabbath keeping. The definition of “work” differed greatly between them. The religious leaders kept adding layers of “fences” around God’s “Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy. On it you shall not do any work” commandment to keep it “safe.”  Jesus promoted rest, restoration, and mercy.

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Vss. 12-16.

There was a big decision coming up for Jesus. Out of the many “disciples” who followed Him, He was to choose twelve whom He would intimately teach and empower to be leaders. To illustrate the importance and as an example to us, Jesus spent the entire night alone in prayer to His Father.

(Wow, how often do I spend even 5 minutes praying about my decisions!)

(NOTE: There were many who believed in and followed Jesus. Luke 10 shows Jesus sending out 70 disciples, two by two, to proclaim the Gospel.  After His resurrection, He appeared to more than 500 disciples at one time.)

After a night of prayer, Jesus called all the disciples together and chose from them twelve, whom He named “Apostles” (messengers sent out with authority).  And yes, Judas, as one of the twelve, was also called “an apostle.”

1. Simon, whom He named Peter,
2. Andrew, his brother,
3. James, and
4. John,
5. Philip,
6. Bartholomew (Nathaniel),
7. Matthew (Levi),
8. Thomas,
9. James, the son of Alphaeus,
10. Simon, the Zealot,
11. Judas, the son of James,
12. Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

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Vss. 17-19.

Then Jesus and the twelve came down from the mountain.  A great crowd of His disciples, along with a great multitude of people from as far as Jerusalem in the south, to Tyre and Sidon in the north, came to HEAR Jesus teach and to be HEALED of their diseases and released from demon possession.

Jesus healed them ALL.

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Vss. 20-23.

(I never noticed this before, but Luke tells us that Jesus taught the Beatitudes (and the whole “sermon on the mount”) to HIS DISCIPLES, to those who were following Him, believers. See verse 20.)

Looking at His disciples, Jesus said,

• Blessed are YOU who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
• Blessed are YOU who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied.
• Blessed are YOU who weep now, for you shall laugh.
• 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!  Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.

(NOTE: Luke’s version of the Sermon on the Mount is shortened.  His audience was meant to be Gentiles, and some of the portions omitted were uniquely Jewish, such as Jesus’ teaching about the Law of Moses.)

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Vss. 24-26.

Jesus now (as in good debates) takes the negative side of the above 4 “blessed.”

• WOE to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.
• WOE to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry.
• WOE to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.
• WOE to you, when all people speak WELL of you, for so their fathers did to the FALSE prophets.

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The poverty and riches, hunger and fullness, weeping and laughter are more than just physical things. Jesus points to the attributes of the heart.

The “poor” point to a deep humility and spiritual insufficiency before God, where we know we are “lost and hopeless” without His love, mercy, and grace.  Ephesians 2.

The “rich” are those who feel self-sufficient and capable in themselves. They believe they do not need a Saviour. They are good enough.

Jesus also speaks of a hunger and thirst for RIGHTEOUSNESS rather than for bread and meat. This isn’t the self-righteousness of the Pharisees, but a true relationship with God, through the work of Jesus on the cross.  2 Corinthians 5:21.

Weeping portrays a godly repentance that leads to salvation and a joy beyond measure at forgiveness. 2 Corinthians 7:10

Careless laughing and mocking the things of God will turn to mourning when the judgment comes.  Isaiah 65:13-14

And if believers suffer and even die for Jesus’ sake, their reward will be great in heaven.  If the proud cultivate the approval of man, THAT is all they will get.  “They have their reward” now.  Matthew 6:3, 5

More tomorrow on Jesus’ “Sermon” to His disciples.

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