Let us start with ‘context’ here by reviewing Kim’s Scripture from yesterday, which was where Jesus chose His twelve disciples.

Now, in stepping back from these seven verses this morning to look at all that we have read thus far in Luke, I can only imagine the thoughts racing through the heads of these new, young, fresh, eager--and probably fearful--disciples. From seeing your new Teacher cast demons out, heal the sick and diseased and lame, to seeing Him boldly bring forth this completely new type of teaching with a whole new message--a message directed towards what seems to be a drastically new crowd, too. Not to mention, they probably didn’t know the other eleven very well. There was undoubtedly a lot swirling around up there. However, this was proven to be expected by Jesus based on the very next steps He took in today’s verses.

In our best understanding as humans, today we see Jesus essentially hire on new employees, and then walk them through the onboarding process of what it means to be His disciple. Only here, it's an eternal role, with a priceless salary, and one that will radically transform their very existence.

Can you believe this is offered to us, too?

[Luke 6.17-23]

Jesus Ministers to a Great Multitude

17 And he came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, 18 who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. And those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. 19 And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all.

The Beatitudes

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.

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ It is valuable to note how all of this was ignited by Jesus spending an entire night in devotion to prayer with the Father. [Luke 6.12]

+ After choosing His disciples, what is the importance of Jesus coming down “with” the disciples and choosing to stand “on a level place” to then do what He did in verses 17-19?

+ What does the type of crowd show about Jesus’ ministry? [vv. 17-18; i.e. physical/spiritual condition, distance to the Sea of Galilee, how the groups from Tyre and Sidon are gentiles, etc.]

+ Why do I think Jesus didn’t just choose the disciples and then send them out to do their own thing? Does this bring significance to the first section of today’s Scripture?

+ Does this passage put emphasis on me only knowing who Jesus is, or also becoming/replicating who He is? [Look up the term ‘Talmidim’]

+ Jesus tells His disciples their blessings in a “what, why” format. What if Jesus only said the what, and left out the why? What does this show about the importance of the why in our Christian faith?

+ Does Jesus promise that, by following Him, this life will be care-free and full of material possessions? Do these “Blessings” make sense when I base my whole life in a ‘here-and-now’ mentality, much like our society does?

+ What do these “Blessing” phrases look like in terms of spiritual conditions?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ Focus on the paradoxes found through the Beatitudes with a foundation of “maranatha: come, Lord Jesus, come!” and let them challenge me in a new way, just like the disciples did.

+ Do I weigh the costs of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus each day? Do I live it out?

+ Reference II Corinthians 4.16-18,

16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

+ Do I lean hard into the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit when this life and my call to “follow” seems too much?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?

+ Who in my life is spiritually, or physically, poor? Hungry? Weeping? Can I come alongside them?

+ Is there anyone that I can share this beautiful paradox with?