The King’s Sermon: Blessed or Cursed?
The King’s Sermon: Blessed or Cursed?
In the heart of Jesus’ teaching in Luke 6:20-21 and 24-25, part of what we call “The King’s Sermon,” lies a profound contrast between two kinds of people: those who are blessed and those who face woe. This passage, often known as the Beatitudes and Woes, challenges our worldly notions of success and happiness. Jesus speaks directly to His disciples, urging them to see beyond temporary circumstances and embrace the eternal realities of God’s kingdom. His words resonate as much today as they did 2,000 years ago, offering hope to the struggling and a warning to the self-satisfied.
Jesus begins, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God” (Luke 6:20). To be “blessed” isn’t about fleeting happiness tied to feelings or circumstances. It’s a deeper state of being, a recognition of our true identity before God. Jesus isn’t addressing all the poor indiscriminately but His followers who, though materially lacking, are rich in faith. Unlike Matthew’s version, which emphasizes being “poor in spirit” (Matthew 5:3), Luke focuses on physical poverty, not as a virtue in itself but as a context for spiritual awareness. These believers understand their spiritual poverty and find their treasure in God’s kingdom—a reality far greater than earthly wealth.
What is this “kingdom of God”? It’s a central theme in Jesus’ teaching, mentioned over 100 times in the Gospels. It’s God’s sovereign rule, recognized in the hearts of His people through faith and lived out through obedience. It brings complete salvation—spiritual peace and material provision—and is embodied in the church, God’s embassy on earth. Ultimately, it points to a redeemed universe when Christ returns. For the poor believer, this means eternal hope and present provision. As Jesus promises in Matthew 6:33, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” The kingdom is a treasure worth more than any Malibu mansion.
In contrast, Jesus warns, “Woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation” (Luke 6:24). This isn’t a condemnation of wealth itself but a stark caution against finding ultimate security in it. Wealth is fleeting, as Jesus illustrates in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-25). The rich man, satisfied with his earthly riches, faces torment after death, while Lazarus, poor but faithful, is comforted eternally. The message is clear: if your treasure is in worldly goods, you risk missing the eternal riches of God’s kingdom.
Jesus continues, “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied” (Luke 6:21a). Again, He’s not glorifying physical hunger but pointing to a deeper longing. Matthew clarifies this as a hunger for righteousness (Matthew 5:6). Believers who crave God’s will above all else find true satisfaction, both spiritually and physically, as God provides their needs. Conversely, “Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry” (Luke 6:25a). Those who make their appetites their god will find them wanting in the end, facing spiritual emptiness.
Finally, Jesus says, “Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh” (Luke 6:21b). Believers grieve over the brokenness of this world—sin, injustice, and suffering—and their own shortcomings. Yet, they’re promised joy in God’s presence. In contrast, “Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep” (Luke 6:25b). Those who live for fleeting pleasures, ignoring God’s design, face eternal sorrow in a place devoid of His mercy.
These contrasts echo a 1994 country song by Alan Jackson, “Livin’ on Love,” which captures the human longing for authentic, lasting relationships. We crave to be known and loved, but earthly pursuits alone can’t fulfill this desire. As Jesus warned in Mark 8:36, “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” True fulfillment comes from a relationship with Jesus, the King who died and rose to establish His kingdom in our hearts.
The King’s Sermon flips human values upside down. The world celebrates wealth, indulgence, and carefree laughter, but Jesus calls us to find blessing in humility, longing for righteousness, and sorrow for sin. This begins with faith in Him—acknowledging our spiritual poverty, repenting, and confessing Him as Lord. For those who do, the promises of the kingdom are theirs: eternal hope, divine provision, and a community of believers who love differently.
If you’re struggling with poverty, hunger, or sorrow, lift your eyes to Jesus. You are blessed, not because of your circumstances, but because you belong to His kingdom. If you’re tempted to find security in wealth or pleasure, heed Jesus’ warning: true life is found in Him alone. Come to the crucified and risen King today, and discover the blessed life He offers.
