The Sermon on the Plain

The teachings of Jesus as he spoke after naming his twelve apostles relate both to what is expected of us by God and to what we in return can expect. When reading this section of Luke, consider the simple yet profound messages that specify how we must live our lives. Be forgiving, do not make judgments, give; in return we will be forgiven, we will not be judged, and we will receive in good measure. It is a simple lesson of treating others as we hope to be treated.

There is also an expectation to love our enemies, not an easy task, but perhaps their is an even greater meaning here. In this very passage, Jesus states that God is kind to both the unthankful and the evil. If we perceive others as enemies, how much more difficult do we make it to follow Jesus' teachings? If, however, we perceive others as God's children as well, then the task is no longer as burdensome. Indeed, if we have no enemies, then there is no burden at all.

There is also a warning for those that disregard this message. Jesus uses the parable of the man that builds a house on a solid foundation to compare to those that listen to these teachings and follows them. These people will withstand the flood of any despair that might reach them. Those that hear these words and do not listen will not have the foundation to withstand hardships that come their way.

The Sermon on the Plain goes beyond being a simple blueprint of how to live our lives. It starts with a promise of rewards to come for following in the words of Jesus.

Consider all of these messages when reviewing this passage of Luke.

Blessed be ye poor: for your's is the kingdom of God.
Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.
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.
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.
But woe unto you that full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.
Wo unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you.
Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
And unto him that smiteth thee on one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take away thy coat also.
Give to every man that asketh of thee: and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do the same.
And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping nothing again: and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
Judge not, and ye shall not be judged, condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive and ye shall be forgiven:
Give, and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give unto your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into a ditch?
The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shall thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.
For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
For every tree is know by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of bramble bush gather they grapes.
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of heart his mouth speaketh.
And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom is he like:
He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
But he that heareth, and doeth not is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

(Luke 6:20-49)

Passages on this site refer to the King James Version of the Holy Bible