Luke 6:20

Luke 6:20 says, And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.  Jesus began to preach to His disciples, not just the twelve, but all who were following Him, and that includes us today if we are followers of Christ.  Jesus first said the poor were blessed,  though we may not always feel that way if we are.  Verse twenty-one adds, Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.  Jesus tells us that we are blessed if we hunger now, or in this lifetime, because we will one day be filled.  He also said we are blessed if we weep, because there is coming a day when we will no longer weep in sorrow but laugh in joy.  Jesus did not promise us that everything was going to be wonderful in this lifetime.  Verse twenty-two continues, Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.  Jesus also tells us that we are blessed if we are hated and reproached by the people of the world for His name’s sake, even if they go so far as to cast us out of their midst.  Verse twenty-three concludes, Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.  Jesus said thar we are to rejoice if these things happen to us for His name’s sake, because we will have great joy in heaven because we have put our faith in Him.  I believe that too often people expect to be materially blessed in this lifetime because they have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, but the opposite seems to be more of what is actually promised.  Verse twenty-four states, But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.  Jesus then pronounced woe on the rich, saying that they had received their consolation.  I don't believe that this means that all rich people are condemned, but that those who put their riches above a relationship with and obedience to Jesus Christ are.  Verse twenty-five adds, Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.  Again, I believe this is a warning to those who put their own desires above the needs of others.  If we are only concerned with being filled ourselves as we laugh and enjoy life and are not concerned about the less fortunate around us, we are not following God's teachings, and until we have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, we never will be truly concerned about those around us.  Verse twenty-six continues, Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.  Jesus tells us that we should feel woe, or sadness, if all people speak well of us, because they did the same thing with the false prophets.  If we are truly following Jesus Christ, then we are going to be at war with the world.