Luke 6:20-26 presents Luke’s balanced version of Jesus’ Beatitudes. There are four “blessed” and four “woes.” Jesus is speaking to His disciples in both cases: “Blessed are you….woe to you…” (cf. Luke 6:20 “And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said…”). Throughout Jesus’ sermon on the level place, He forces His listeners to examine themselves. So, in the balanced beatitudes, we ask ourselves and our listeners which four-fold condition best describes their current condition. Are we blessed or cursed? The one that really struck home to me as a preacher was v. 26 “Woe to you, when all people speak well of you…” As much as I want to be liked, I do not want to find myself in the “Woe to you” camp. That means preaching and teaching theology that may not be popular among our parishioners (not to mention among the outsiders). Part of our privilege is to help them make the right choice each Sunday. In order to do that, we must present the options clearly. You might be interested in considering the Gospel in the Beatitudes. Jesus experienced the “woe” in death even though His condition in life matched the “blessed.” Jesus’ followers are blessed because He wasn’t (until after the cross, that is!).
This post was originally published on May 29, 2013.
I really appreciate this and will definitely try it. This is something I’ve thought about lately. As a pastor it is super important that when non-believers come into our church services, we definitely want them to feel welcome but not to the point when they wrongly assume they are a part of the body without confessing their sin and professing their faith in Jesus. So by sharing the “Woes” or even any sermon that draws a contrast between believers and non believers may not be popular but I think it may be actually the most necessary loving way to preach to non believers. It would be cruel to preach in a way that doesn’t show non believers their need for Jesus!
Thanks, Dayne, for sharing your thoughts about this preaching angle. Imagine sitting in Puritan churches and hearing your name called out as a sinner! Yikes! Agreed fully that it would be cruel–I would say deceptive too–to not call sinners to repentance. Glad we can study preaching together!
I love this text because it is my pastor’s favorite pericope, and because of the way it flips societal norms on their head. I think there is a tendency in the Body of Christ to identify with what is “politically” correct and acceptable rather than that which is consistent with the Word of God. In the Beatitudes Jesus outlines a counter-culture to that which faced His disciples. I do believe in wisdom as it relates to giving unpopular answers to tough questions (the Bible’s stance on homosexuality, abortion, etc), but do you think we (the Body of Christ) is using “wisdom” to avoid being in opposition to the world’s stance on clear doctrinal issues? I have spoken with many God-fearing, God-loving, believers who are pro-choice, and not opposed to gay marriage, citing the separation of church and state. Are they misled or am I guilty of seeking to impose Kingdom values on a secular government that is submitted to God?
Such tough issues, Erik! I know that the fall of interpretation (Adam’s phrase) means Christians will land differently on a text’s meaning. I also know that there are wrong readings of Scripture endorsed by Christians. and yes, you may be in danger of imposing Kingdom values on non-Christians who have no capacity to live as kingdom citizens. Glad we can study together!
I love this passage because it is my pastor’s favorite pericope (Matthew 5 version). I love the counter-cultural nature of this text because it goes completely against the grain of the ideology of the day. One of the things that I find common in the Body of Christ is an unwillingness to be in one camp, and not straddle the fence. There is wisdom in answering difficult questions with nuance and grace (should be abortion be denied a victim of rape), but at times I wonder if the church has chosen to remain “neutral” as oppose to speaking God’s truth no matter how unpopular it is. Jesus was clear about blessings and woes, and I believe we should be the same way. How can the Body of Christ speak wisely and succinctly to convey the love of God, while also declaring His values?
Thanks for interacting with the post, Erik. You’ve asked a difficult question, but have answered it too: we do both. That is, as long as we don’t get caught judging the world. According to 1 Corinthians 5 (end of the chapter), that’s not our job. We judge the insiders, not the outsiders. Take a look at that passage and see what you think. Glad we can study preaching together!