Luke 6:27-31

 ““But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other as well, and from the person who takes away your coat, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks you, and do not ask for your possessions back from the person who takes them away. Treat others in the same way that you would want them to treat you.”

— ‭‭Luke‬ ‭6‬:‭27‬-‭31‬‬

Could write essay on similarities and differences on Matthew’s and Luke’s version of this sermon. Many have and it’s intriguing to say the least…not as simple as Matthew emphasizes Jewish themes (but that is true).

Luke has fewer beatitudes and then some woes. Can’t explain now. Then jumps into blessing those who persecute. The “but I say to you” doesn’t fit in Luke as it does in Matthew, because Matthew has a whole section of Jesus raising standards of the Law. This section of Luke’s sermon seems random to some degree. 

It’s included to counter the attitudes of the wealthy who are spiritually poor. Those who are persecuting the righteous. Luke sets up two groups in the opening of the sermon that sets the stage for the rest of the book, a great reversal, that the poor, outcast, needy are those who respond to the gospel (typically) and surprisingly enter the kingdom, while the rich and self sufficient (and spiritually “acceptable”) are left on the outside. They reject the Messiah and persecute the true followers. This has foundations in the OT. Matthew makes it “poor in spirit,” but several Psalms talk about the “pious poor.”

Anyway, this section may be good for us to think about forgiveness or kindness in general, but it’s better to keep in context of discipleship. Jesus is telling His followers that the wealthy, laughing, persecuting crowd is distinct from them (not that Christians don’t have fun…not the point). But when facing persecution, oscillation, separation, hostility for following Messiah, the proper response is love. That’s the type of enemy that Jesus is talking about here…not political, national, personal, familial, etc. 

The person who rebukes, judges, separates from, or even punishes me for following Jesus is still a person. And I am commanded to treat them as an image bearer. By doing so, they may see God’s love for the first time.

Matthew 5:3-12 (Beatitudes)

 ““Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them. “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things about you falsely on account of me. Rejoice and be glad because your reward is great in heaven, for they persecuted the prophets before you in the same way.”

— ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭3‬-‭12‬‬

Beatitudes are section of grace and prophetic promise/call.

Demands of sermon are not intelligible apart from the gracious offer of the kingdom and forgiveness that Jesus offers through His presence. Matthew emphasis spiritual aspect of these characteristics. Luke will use more tangible descriptions (poor, hungry, mourning), though OT passages will show the connection that those who are poor/outcast have a spiritual inclination/dependence on God. These are the pious poor.

Can fill in each beatitude as it comes. Would presume that “rewards” are somewhat parallel, not too different. “Seeing God” and “gaining life” are probably pretty similar.

Don’t think it’s a progression of time or spiritual maturity.

Poor In Spirit

Mourn

Meek

Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness

Merciful

Pure in Heart. Is anyone pure? Can anyone see God? Thought this brought death. Point is that all these “blessings” describe the same group of people. A people spiritually minded and humble, seeking God, attempting to obey, thinking properly, devoted to Him and no other. They will gain life and experience the presence of God. They enter God’s kingdom and know Him as King.

Peacemakers

Persecuted

Sermon on the Mount vs Sermon on Plain

 “When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain. After he sat down his disciples came to him.”

— ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬‬

1st Discourse in Matthew (5-7): One of 5 books to parallel five books of Torah. Discourses provide the substance of Jesus’ teaching which is to be obeyed by disciples by expanding kingdom

5-7: Here’s how to respond to my presence and gift of the kingdom, by being radically selfless and truly righteous

Lots of views on how to interpret Sermon on Mount, too much for here. Most likely a summary of Jesus’ teaching on life and ethics of disciple, including explanation of the intent of OT law in a prophetic style. Sermon is not law. Primary intent of sermon is provoke disciples to live as light and show love to all. This type of love is motivation of kingdom relationships. Secondary point is for outsiders to pursue kingdom God’s way. (Luke’s version much shorter, eliminating Jewish emphasis).

Matthew 7:24-27

 ““Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them is like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the flood came, and the winds beat against that house, but it did not collapse because it had been founded on rock. Everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the flood came, and the winds beat against that house, and it collapsed; it was utterly destroyed!””

— ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭24‬-‭27‬‬

Clearly correlation between knowing/believing and obeying. 

“Words of mine” is the sermon as whole, or Jesus’ reinterpretation of Torah. New kingdom ethics.

Living as citizen of kingdom is way of wisdom.

Sermon classifies as wisdom literature. Yes commands but this is classic wisdom language. 

James has echoes of sermon throughout James and he has this portion in chapter 1. Doers of word…