Day 9 - Luke 6:20-36

I was really tempted to skip Luke's mention of the Beatitudes and wait to focus on the ones mentioned in Matthew's gospel.  But Luke is so blunt in his translation of Jesus that I really couldn't skip it.  What we will do though is tread lightly on the Beatitudes listed in Matthew 5. Much of the remainder of Luke 5 is also repeated in Matthew, so we won't have to cover them again. That will definitely save us some time Of course, you're encouraged to read what we skip and see if there are any differences, because, usually there are.

Read Luke 20-36 (find it here)

Beatitudes are simply a list of statements Jesus gives to a group of people whom normally are thought to be unfortunate and pronounces them blessed. 

Do you consider someone who is poor to be blessed?  Jesus says yes because that the Kingdom of God (or heaven) will be theirs, which is a HUGE change from not having a thing to call their own in this physical world. They will be treated the same as the richest man in heaven (most likely better, actually)!

Hungry people won't feel the pain of an empty stomach in heaven. They will be satisfied.

Those who weep over the pain caused to them in this life will laugh in heaven.

When people hate, exclude, mock or curse you because of your faith, Jesus says that with an exclamation, "what blessings await you."  Let that be a source of joy!

Then Luke quotes Jesus when he talks about people who are the complete opposite as those above.  Check out Jesus' ultra-direct words!   

Rich people will be sad after this life. 

People who are fat will trade places with those who are currently hungry. 

Those who laugh (laugh?!) will mourn! 

Before you think, "I can't believe how rough Jesus is being!"  Consider this, the Greek word for laugh in verse 25 strictly means one who "laughs at someone as a form of ridicule." So, if you're silly like me does that mean we'll be sad in heaven? Of course not!

If we apply this definition of laugh, then the other descriptions (fat and rich) come more into focus.  Those who gorge themselves without a care for those who are hungry or those who become wealthy with disregard of who it harms to get rich will, most likely, walk in the shoes of the oppressed in the afterlife (notice I didn't say heaven).

In verse 27, after being harsh, Jesus starts the next section with a hopeful statement, "but to you who are willing to listen." This means that if you fit the descriptions above, you CAN change but it won't be easy. 

More interesting cultural situations come into play. Jesus says, "If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek and if someone demands your coat, offer your shirt, too." Both of these suggestions were developed to cause outrage towards the person who was slapping you or demanding your coat? 

"How?" you may ask.

If someone was to slap you on the cheek it is considered a blow that could be returned (in other words, it could start a fight). However, Jesus asks you to offer your other cheek instead. This means that the person would have to hit you with the back of the same hand to hit the opposite cheek, which in that culture is a sign of ultimate disrespect.

Ever heard of a backhand or a b****slap? Slaves and prostitutes would be struck in this way because they couldn't fight back.  If a free man were to be slapped with the back side of someone's hand, it would immediately cause controversy but in YOUR favor.  (This doesn't mean let someone beat you up, don't fight back.)

Also, if someone were to sue you, an acceptable penalty (if you didn't have money to pay) would be to give up your coat. Jesus says offer your shirt, too.  If that person takes your shirt, too, that pretty much means you're being left naked. (Pants, jeans or khakis didn't exist back then.)

If we were really keeping this in Jesus' culture, coat would translate to cloak which was what was worn over top of the robe (or shirt). If the person was poor, the robe (tunic can also be used) or "shirt" would be the only thing they would use as a blanket when they slept. To take away someone's warmth and leave them naked was an unspeakable cruelty. Again, it would cause controversy towards the person oppressing you.

Jesus then gets practical. What makes a Christ-follower any different if he/she loves only the people that love them? Why charge someone interest for loaning them money?  Christ-followers should be gracious because, get this, "for [God] is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked." Don't we fit into that category sometimes, too?

We'll finish Luke 6 tomorrow, promise:)

Questions

1.) The true meaning of laugh, which helped us figure the words rich and fat, lets us know that NOT all people who laugh are sinning. So, knowing that, does that mean that ALL rich and fat people will not go to heaven? How come?

2.) Which is harder, in your opinion: To do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you or to pray for those who hurt you?  Which is easiest? Why?

3.) If someone were to literally treat you like a slave or demand everything be taken away from you, who do you think would stand up for you? How do you think the oppressor would respond to public pressure?

4.) Doesn't it feel good to know that Jesus does NOT ask you to let people beat you up?