Blessing or woe?
Luke 6:20-26 NRSV
Then he looked up at his disciples and said:
“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.
But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.”
Howard Marshall
[Jesus contrasts] two kinds of people. The first group are by all outward appearance to be pitied, but in the eyes of Jesus they are blessed or happy because of what is promised to them. They are poor and needy, hungry and sad. Although some take these expressions purely as references to their literal condition, they should probably be understood basically (but by no means exclusively) in a spiritual sense of people who feel dissatisfied with the present world and their lot in it and who long for what God has to give them. They are promised that he will hear them and fulfil their longings in the coming kingdom which was the theme of Jesus’ message. People may hate and insult them for putting their trust in God’s representative, the Son of Man, but, like the prophets, they will receive their reward from God.
The other group of people have what the present time can offer—satisfaction of their desire for material goods, happiness and a good reputation in the world—and want nothing more. No need for them to cry out to God in prayer, for they think that they have enough! But the time will come, says Jesus, when they will have nothing.[1]
Almighty God, faithful and loving Father,
You are the great Blesser of your people.
You never take your eye off this world.
You never abandon it to “run on its own.”
You see those who are poor or hungry or sad or oppressed, whether in living experience or in the depth of soul.
You see, and You care.
You see, and You act on their behalf.
You see, and You promise that one day all pain will be exchanged for perpetual joy.
This world is not the summum bonum – the highest good or the ultimate goal – but rather knowing You and all the blessings of life that such knowledge brings.
“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 17:3 NKJV).
Help us, O Lord, to know You and love You more and more each day. Amen.
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Corinthians 4.15).
[1] I. Howard Marshall, “Luke,” in New Bible Commentary: 21st Century Edition, ed. D. A. Carson et al., 4th ed. (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994), 990–991.
