Luke Reading (#17)

Take a few minutes to catch up and pray that God would bless you through the reading of His word.

Read Luke 6:24-36

[6:24] “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.
[25] “Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry.
“Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.
[26] “Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.

[27] “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, [28] bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. [29] To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. [30] Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. [31] And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

[32] “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. [33] And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. [34] And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. [35] But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. [36] Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

Observation

  • At the beginning of his “sermon on the plain”, Jesus has told us what kinds of people are blessed. 
    • What kind of people does Jesus declare “woe to” in v. 24? What reason does he give?
    • What kinds of people does Jesus declare “woe to” in v. 25? 
      • When do these people experience good things?
      • When will they experience bad things?
    • What kind of people does Jesus declare “woe to” in v. 26? What reason does he give?
  • Look at v. 27-31:
    • What should you do to your enemies (v. 27)? 
    • What should you do to those who hate you (v. 27)?
    • What should you do to those who curse you (v. 28)?
    • What should you for to those who abuse you (v. 28)?
    • What should you do when someone strikes you (v. 29)?
    • What should you not do to the one who takes your cloak (v. 29)?
    • What should you do when someone begs from you (v. 30)?
    • What should you not do when someone takes away your goods (v. 30)?
    • What should you do to others (v. 31)?
  • Look at verses 32-36:
    • Why is it no benefit to you if you love those who love you (v. 32)?
    • Why is it no benefit if you do good to those who do good to you (v. 33)?
    • Why is it no benefit to you is you lend to those who can repay you (v. 34)?
    • What does Jesus want his followers to do instead (v. 35-36)?
      • How big will their reward be in that case (v. 35)?
      • What is the reward (v. 35)?
      • What is God like (v. 35-36)?

Interpretation

  • What does it mean for Jesus to say “woe to” certain kinds of people? Is it a bad thing to ever be full or laughing or rich?
  • How do the “woes” in v. 24-26 match up with the blessings that Jesus declared in the previous verses (see below*)?
  • Should there be any qualifications on what Jesus says in v. 29-30? 
    • Should Christians always allow themselves to be beaten without defending themselves?
    • Is it wrong to call the police if someone steals from you?
    • Should you give money to every beggar you encounter on the street?
    • If you decide that Jesus isn’t trying to give unqualified directions for every circumstance, then what is he saying?
    • How does v. 31 fit into this section?
  • How does God treat people who sin against him (v. 35-36)? How does that connect to the commands that Jesus gives his followers in v. 32-36?

Application

  • Is it hard for you to believe that it’s better to struggle now in light of a future reward? How are you tempted to live for a reward that you receive right now?
  • In what circumstances do you find it hard to be good to people who are wronging you? How can you work to show them love?
  • How does the gospel message transform you into the kind of person that Jesus describes in this passage?

Share prayer requests and pray for each other.

*Luke 6:20-23

[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.
[21] “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied.
“Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.
[22] “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! [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.

 

Luke Study, Bible Reading GroupDavid NicotraLuke