Luke Chapter 6

vs 21

When you think about it, the idea of these people being those who are hungry, and those who may have been mourning, is not too hard to believe. People who have everything don't generally see a need for anything. But people who have needs, and see someone who offers to fill them, they are more likely to listen.

vs 22

Now this may have already been happening to some degree because of the attitude of the Pharisees and others. Just look at how they treated the man born blind then healed when he said he was a disciple of Jesus (that's in John). They were pretty angry.

But of course, this promise would fully come to fruit later, when Jesus was gone. As far as we no, none of Jesus' disciples were systematically persecuted until after the resurrection.

vs 23

Those that will be persecuted are really blessed. Everyone knew about the prophets and how they had been treated. But now Jesus is offering your average Joe a link directly with their glory. The implication, I think, is that if you're treated like the prophets on earth, you will be rewarded like the prophets in heaven. Of course, that probably means you'll need to be discharging some prophetic duties, as well.

vs 24

Why woe? Isn't riches and stuff a blessing? In fact, weren't such things promised as blessings in the land to those who did God's will? Deuteronomy seems to make that clear.

But these people are being promised more than that. They are being promised something lasting, something eternal. Your milk and honey aren't really aren't going to be that valuable after you're gone.

vs 25

It's not that rich people get punished. It's more that the rich people are the ones who aren't listening. Because they're sorted out for the time being, they think that's a good way to be. Eggs in one basket and all that.

vs 26

There is actually nothing wrong with people speaking well of you. Unless they are speaking well of you because of the reason they spoke well of the false prophets - that is, because you tickle people's ears with what they want to hear.

And man, if this does not happen all the time in the Christian church! I don't know if I've said this before, but I was absolutely shocked to hear someone whom I respect and admire for their godliness and devotion to Christ, someone whom I thought was an open-minded and progressive scholarly Christian, say that they "only listen to Christian scholars who promote the views they already hold". Ok, those weren't their exact words (obviously) but that was their meaning. What's the point of listening to someone speak if they are only going to say things you already agree with? Frustrating, especially when you devalue someone because they don't hold your views on a specific issue.

vs 27

This is not the golden rule, actually. People talk about all religions sharing the golden rule of not hurting other people, or treating them like you want to be treated. But they're not really all the same. I think the closest one to this is Bill & Ted's "Be excellent to each other". It's not just about mutual tolerance. As usual, Christianity takes things one step further, beyond reasonableness. Party on, dudes!

vs 28

This whole thing, of course, is completely idealistic. I think that is the difference. Of course, in our actions we always get more pragmatic. Sure, I would like my enemy to be my bestest buddy. But pragmatically, I just want him/her to leave me alone. And so that becomes good enough. But that isn't what Jesus is saying here. Love is a hell of a lot harder than tolerance. And blessing and praying for enemies is probably one of the most difficult things to do. That and treating them like not-enemies.

vs 29

Interesting wording here. Don't stop him taking your tunic does not mean "just hand it over to him". People are still responsible for the bad things they do. You don't ram your cheek into people's fists when they hit you once.

vs 30

Lots of people have said lots of things about how to read this verse and verses like it. Some say you just simply follow it. Some say that these demands must be weighed up in consideration with stewardship and other principles. Others say they are impossible, and are meant to highlight the inability of humanity to meet the requirements of the Law.

From its own context, it sounds like Jesus expects the first one. Except it's not simple.