Tuesday, 21 March 2017

East Ridge Pres

Luke 6:20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.” Jesus looks at his disciples. He is speaking to disciples. Those who believe in and obey Jesus. Not speaking to outsiders. Blessed are you who are poor. They are poor because they left so much to follow Jesus. Some were poor when they came to Jesus and Jesus did not deliver them from poverty. Their hands are empty, but in their hands is the kingdom of God. Though no one sees. On the day of Jesus Christ they will receive ALL the blessings of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. Now they are deprived. They lack what they need, but they look to God alone for his salvation. Today they may lack many things they need. Their obedience has even added to their hunger, because they gave up so much for others. On the day of Jesus Christ they will be satisfied, given everything they need. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. Now they have sorrow, but they look to Jesus for salvation. They continue to obey him in the sorrow. They don’t try to comfort themselves with sin or pleasure or ease or luxury. Continue to LOVE. Their love has even added to their sorrow, brought on more burden and trouble and pain. On the day of Jesus Christ they will laugh with joy at the feast in the kingdom of God when Jesus will drive all sorrow away, like the sun drives away the darkness. 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!” Because of Jesus, and obedience to Jesus, they are hated, excluded, insulted, rejected, ostracized, disrespected, mocked. v 23 Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets. Jesus commands them to rejoice NOW because of the future reward. When Jesus comes. He brings their unimaginable reward. The fact that they are hated because of Jesus proves they are true disciples, because that is how the true prophets of God were always treated. When people believe, speak, and obey the word of God, they are despised. Always have been. Always will be. As disciples we must reject the path to status and accomplishment, success and popularity. Instead, follow Jesus.