Written by Lesallan
A Student at Ohio Christian University
August 30, 2023
Living In the Light of Jesus and His Teachings
The question that has been posed in this Devotional is how a person should live in light of Jesus and His teachings about the poor/rich and hungry/full found in these passages: Matthew 5:3 (ESV); Luke 6:20 (ESV); Matthew 5:6 (ESV); and Luke 6:21 (ESV). Also, how to apply them to life in the contemporary world? One of the most challenging aspects of following Jesus is to apply His teachings to our everyday lives. How should we live in a world of injustice, inequality, and suffering? How should we respond to the needs of the poor and the hungry and the abundance of the rich and the full?
The first passage is from the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus begins with blessings, or beatitudes, for those in a disadvantaged or oppressed situation. He says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3, ESV). In spirit, the poor recognize their need for God and depend on Him for everything. They are not self-sufficient or proud but humble and contrite. They (the people) know they cannot earn or deserve God’s favor, but they receive it by grace. The disadvantaged and oppressed are blessed because they have a share in God’s reign, both now and in the future.
The second passage is from a similar sermon that Jesus gave on a plain, where He also pronounces blessings and woes. He says, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God” (Luke 6:20, ESV). Here, Jesus is not talking about people experiencing poverty in spirit but people experiencing poverty in material terms. Jesus addresses those who lack the basic necessities of life, such as food, clothing, shelter, and health. Jesus also speaks to those oppressed by the rich and powerful, who exploit and deny them justice. Jesus said they are blessed because God cares for them and will vindicate them. They have a special place in God’s heart and in God’s kingdom.
The third passage is again from the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus continues with another beatitude. He says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (Matthew 5:6, ESV). The hunger and thirst for righteousness not only physical but also spiritual and moral. They long for God’ will to be done on earth as in heaven. They are a desire for justice, peace, and holiness. They are a passion for God’s glory and honor. They are blessed because God will fulfill their longing and give them what they seek. They will see God’s kingdom come and His righteousness to prevail.
The fourth passage is from the Sermon on the plain, where Jesus contrasts blessings and woes. He says, “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh” (Luke 6:21, ESV). Here, Jesus refers to those hungry and weeping because of their poverty and oppression. He is comforting those who suffer and mourn because of evil and injustice in the world. He promises they will be satisfied and laugh because God will reverse their situation and reward them. They will experience God’s mercy and joy.
These four passages reveal some essential truths about how we should live as followers of Jesus in light of His teaching about the poor/rich and hungry/full. First, we should be poor in spirit, recognizing our need for God and depending on him for everything. We should not trust our wealth or abilities but God’s grace and power. Second, we should care for people experiencing poverty, sharing our resources with them and advocating for their rights. We should not ignore or exploit them but love and serve them as neighbors. Third, we should hunger and thirst for righteousness, seeking God’s will and justice in all areas of life. We should not conform to the patterns of this world (Romans 12:2, ESV) but to the values of God’s kingdom. Fourth, we should hope in God’ promises, trusting He will satisfy our hunger and wipe away our tears. We should not lose heart or give up but persevere in faith and joy.
These four passages reveal some crucial truths about how we should live as followers of Jesus in light of His teaching about the poor/rich and hungry/full. They also challenge us to apply these truths to our own lives. As we do so, we will experience God’s blessing and satisfaction and be a blessing and a witness to others. May God help us to live according to his word and his will.
The immediate context of these passages shows that Jesus is addressing His disciples and a crowd of people who have followed Him to hear His teaching. He is presenting them with a new way of living based on God’s values, not the world’s. He invites them to join him in his mission to bring God’s kingdom to earth. The broader context of Matthew’s Gospel shows that Jesus is fulfilling the Old Testament prophecies and expectations of the Messiah, who would bring salvation and justice to God’s people. He also challenges the religious leaders and authorities who have corrupted God’s law and oppressed God’s people. He is calling them to repent and believe in Him.
The broader context of Luke-Acts is that they are two volumes of a single work, written by the same author, traditionally identified as Luke, a companion of Paul. They are addressed to a person named Theophilus, who may have been a Roman official or a patron of Luke. They (Book of Luke & Acts, ESV) are intended to provide an orderly and accurate account of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and the birth and growth of the church. These Books (Luke and Acts, ESV) are meant to show how God’s plan to bring salvation to all people, especially the poor and the oppressed, is fulfilled through Jesus and His followers.
These four passages reveal some essential truths about how we should live as followers of Jesus in light of His teaching about the poor/rich and hungry/full. They also challenge us to apply these truths to our own lives. As we do so, we will experience God’s blessing and satisfaction and be a blessing and a witness to others. May God help us to live according to His Word and His will. Amen.
Blessings on this 30th Day of August in the Year of our Lord – 2023
~Lesallan
