The Standard of Happiness, Luke 6:20-23

Before I begin my notes from this morning, I have something that needs to be added to my comments made yesterday regarding this passage of Scripture. 

Since Jesus addressed these remarks to His disciples at a specific time and place nearly 2000 years ago, what makes them applicable to us today, and what makes this truth “relevant” to contemporary Christian life?

This sermon applies to us on at least two levels.  First, Jesus was addressing His disciples.  These were people whom Jesus had called to follow Him or who had heard His teachings and wanted to learn more.  That applies today to those who are seeking to know more of what Jesus taught and how to live a life in obedience to His Word.  Second, the specific teachings of Jesus are spiritual principles that are timeless and universal.  That is the nature of absolute truth – it is true in every time and in every culture.

The truth of Jesus Christ is always relevant and contemporary regardless of the culture or audience.

The following is transcribed from my daily notes....

These four beatitudes, Luke 6:20-23, though abbreviated from the ones in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew, are worthy of special note.  Jesus said that four conditions of a disciples life would make them “blessed” or happy.

1.      You who are poor

2.      You who are hungry now

3.      Your who weep now

4.      You who are persecuted for the Son of Man’s sake

Here is where the contemporary Christian emphasis is pathetically failing!  The church today struggles to avoid, reverse, and overcome each of these conditions.  I do not say we should seek to be poor and hungry, but we must not permit discomfort and sorrow divert us from absolute dedication to Jesus Christ.  Each of these beatitudes is anathema in contemporary church culture in specific ways.

1.      Poor? – Christians are told they can and should prosper materially, and the most popular leaders of the church in America live in great wealth and luxury.

2.      Hungry? – The only time American Christians are hunger seems to be when they are on a self-imposed diet.  Our own hunger is seen as a subject of humor not reality.

3.      Weep? – No!  We, as Christians, are to be happy, healthy, and prosperous!  Our popular preachers go to extremes to make us feel good about ourselves and our situation.

4.      Persecuted? – We have lawyers to make sure we avoid persecution.  More realistically, Christians in America are so invested and assimilated into the culture that the most serious persecution they know is that the “Christmas” tree at their school is now called a “holiday” tree.

The core of these beatitudes is that they all derive their meaning and substance from the specific disciple’s devotion to Jesus Christ, the Son of Man (v. 22b).  If we do not live for His sake without reservation and in complete devotion, none of these promises apply.  Wishing to avoid poverty, hunger, and sorrow, Christians in today’s culture carefully avoid living in true dedication to Jesus Christ.

My Lord, I see here too much of my own case and condition!  Forgive me and put within me a heart to seek to live for Thy sake without reservation or precondition.

coram deo