32 lines
1.4 KiB
Markdown
32 lines
1.4 KiB
Markdown
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title = "Luke 6:20–26"
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date = "2022-11-10"
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### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Lk6.20-26)
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This is the beginning of the Sermon on the Plain, which may have been the
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Sermon on the Mount with some editing, or a different event with the same
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sermon material. It doesn't really matter which it is, though.
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Jesus begins with some statements that don't make sense at first. He says the
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poor, the hungry, the sad, and the persecuted should be considered the most
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fortunate and happy. They are winning at life. Conversely, He says the rich,
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the satisfied, the joyous, and the popular are in danger. What's going on?
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Jesus's point is that there is more to life than this life. If Heaven is not
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real, then these statements are nonsensical. But because it is real, we should
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consider carefully what Jesus is saying. People having hard times cannot rely
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on themselves to see them through, but can more easily rely on God, trusting
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Him to gather them into His kingdom. Those with easier, happy lives are blind
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to their need for a Savior and do not seek after God.
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Notice that Jesus doesn't say that persecution for any reason is a reason for
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blessing, but persecution because of Himself. It is better to be hated for
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doing good than for doing evil.
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* * *
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Help us to be wary of the riches and pleasures of this world, which put us in
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danger of missing Your eternal blessings.
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