Luke 6:17-26 – The Gospel harmonizes with the Old Testament
lesson, “Cursed is the man who trusts in
man…Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord.” Blessed are those – whether
rich or poor, hungry or well-fed, happy or sad, hated or well-liked, who trust
in God to fill their need. The New English Bible translates Luke 6:20 –“How blessed are you who are in need.”
Matthew 5:3 – “How blessed are those who
know their need of God.” This reduces itself to the basic need for change
of values, from material to spiritual.
Herein the Savior describes those who are his own.
They are poor in spirit; they know of their need for a
Savior. The Psalmist writes, “Then I
acknowledge my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will
confess my transgressions to the LORD’ and you forgave the guilt of my sin.”
– Psalm 32:5
They hunger after a righteousness they do not have of
their own effort. Examples of such include the dying thief on Calvary’s hill,
the prodigal son, and David who prayed with a contrite heart.
They weep; as did Peter. “Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken; ‘Before the rooster
crows, you will disown me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly.”
They bear the cross. We hear the Savior’s cry; “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you, who kill the
prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your
children together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were
unwilling.” – Matthew 23:37
God’s grace turns poverty into riches, hunger into
satisfaction, weeping into laughter.
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