Luke 6

As I reflect on discipleship, and learning to obey the commands of Jesus, the first place I am drawn to is the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew's gospel gives us a long version in chapters 5,6 and 7 while Luke offers a condensed view in chapter six. In verse 17 Luke writes of the large numbers of people who heard Jesus. The Lord gives a stunning contrast to our normal thinking. He says blessed are the poor, the hungry, the weeping, the hated, excluded, and rejected. Woe to the rich, the well fed, the happy, and the well spoken of. We (I) look at the poor, hungry, mourning etc. as objects of compassion at best, not as blessed. We work hard to be rich, well fed, happy and spoken well of. What are we missing here in the words of Jesus? It seems heavily ironic that impoverished, illiterate people that live in villages without electricity, potable water, health care etc. are coming to Jesus while affluent, educated people with everything they need (although always desiring more) deny Him.
     Starting in verse 27, Jesus commands His disciples to love their enemies, bless them, give to them, lend without expecting repayment. We are not to condemn and to give with the measure we would hope for in return. We are to look at ourselves and address our issues before presuming to think we can correct others. Jesus says that what we speak reflect what is in our hearts. Then he asks a penetrating question. "Why do you call me, Lord, Lord, and do not do what I say?" (Luke 6:46 NIV) Lord is not just a title like mayor or governor, but a enduring truth and reality. Every knee will bow, and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. ( Isaiah 45:23, Philippians 2:9-11 NIV) We cannot call Him Lord if we don't do what He says.
   Finally Jesus gives the often misunderstood example of the house builders. Building one's house on the rock or on the sand is the illustration, NOT the principle. The principle is to hear the words of Jesus and put them into practice, the definition of discipleship.
     Father, may we call out to you to enable us to follow Jesus.