SUMMARY
JesusJesus is the Messiah whose life, death, and resurrection are God's saving act for humanity More teaches people on “a level place,” instructing them about God’s blessings, human relationships, ethics, and good character.
ANALYSIS
Jesus’ teaching certainly instructs hearers about how they should live, but for the most part it offers statements of fact about God and people. The blessings and woes that Jesus pronounces in the first part (vv. 20-26) declare what God’s reign will accomplish and who benefits and suffers from it. Jesus calls those who are mistreated to treat their oppressors with love and generosity. He commands people not to conduct their relationships in ways that demand reciprocity. The social ethic he promotes is theologically inspired, for it reflects God’s own character.
Much of the material in this passage resembles what Jesus says in MatthewA tax collector who became one of Jesus' 12 disciples More 5-7, a passage known as the “Sermon on the Mount.” (Some of Jesus’ teachings in Matthew’s sermon appear elsewhere in LukeThe "beloved physician" and companion of Paul More, not integrated into Luke’s “Sermon on the Plain.”) But there are significant differences between the two Gospels’ famous sermons. Perhaps the most significant difference is apparent in Luke 6:20, where Jesus says, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of GodThe kingdom (reign) of God is a central theme of Jesus' teaching and parables. According to Jesus this reign of God is a present reality and at the same time is yet to come. When Christians pray the Lord's Prayer, they ask that God's kingdom... More,” while Matthew 5:3 has him saying, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” In Luke, Jesus speaks about real economic and social poverty, pronouncing God’s blessingBlessing is the asking for or the giving of God's favor. Isaac was tricked into blessing Jacob instead of his firstborn Esau. At the Last Supper Jesus offered a blessing over bread and wine. To be blessed is to be favored by God. More upon those who suffer such hardship.
