Blessings and Woes (Luke 6:20-38)

Jesus was followed by a large crowd who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. The people were eager to touch him. But when Jesus began to teach what we now know as "The Beatitudes", many must have been puzzled and confused.

The words spoken by Jesus seem hard to understand when one first reads them:

"Blessed are you who are poor. Blessed are you who hunger now. Blessed are you who weep now. Blessed are you when men hate you." But he also declares, "Woe to you who are rich. Woe to you who are well-fed now. Woe to you who laugh now.Woe too when all men speak well of you."

The words seem sarcastic, because they seem to be contradictory to normal thinking. Yet one who seeks Jesus with all humility and desire for forgiveness will sooner or later f ind the key to open what seems to be a mystery.

Jesus was trying to compare two sets of conditions or circumstances here. First, those who live in turmoil in this world, and second, those who live in peace in the Kingdom of God. Those who follow Jesus may not be happy with what the world has to offer, but are contented with what they have. Other people are always yearning to possess what this world has to offer and yet they are never satisfied and feel miserable most of the time.

There is more to life than earthly possessions. God's purpose for our life is to live in peace, joy, and harmony. Our needs are filled when we are in His Kingdom. He wants to give us abundant life under His care. How miserable our life would be if we continue to follow the desires of our heart to obtain success that is measured by what we own, because we will never be satisfied. How pitiful are we when we are driven by our selfish desire to be popular, controlled by our yearnings to hear everyone say nice things about us.

If you are not a Christian, I encourage you to read the lessons provided in this site.Yes my friend, Jesus loves you, and he has a wondeful plan for your life.