The Blessings of the Kingdom

Luke 6:17-26

As we continue our series Follow His Steps, we find ourselves today in Luke 6:17-26, where Jesus delivers a powerful and radical message to the crowds.

The journey we’ve taken through the Gospel of Luke has already been full of significant moments.

In Luke 5, Jesus demonstrated His divine authority by healing the sick, forgiving sins, and calling ordinary men to follow Him.

He proclaimed that He came not for the righteous, but for sinners.

He showed mercy to the outcasts and challenged the religious leaders with His countercultural approach to righteousness.

These events laid the foundation for what we now witness in Luke 6.

In the previous verses, we saw Jesus confront the religious legalism of the Pharisees, specifically over the observance of the Sabbath.

He demonstrated that He is Lord of the Sabbath, showing that following God is about mercy and grace, not rigid rituals.

Jesus’ power to heal and forgive sins, and His challenge to the status quo, set the stage for this next pivotal moment in His ministry.

So now, as we come to verses 17-19, Jesus descends from the mountain, having spent a night in prayer, and He is surrounded by a large crowd—people from all walks of life.

We see a gathering of the needy, the curious, the desperate, and the hopeful, all seeking a word from this powerful teacher.

This is a scene of great anticipation, as Jesus, the Son of God, prepares to speak to the hearts of those who would listen.

This moment is not just another teaching event—it is a clear declaration of the values of the kingdom of God.

Values that stand in stark contrast to the way the world defines success, blessing, and fulfillment.

At the heart of Jesus’ message in this passage are the beatitudes—blessings pronounced upon those who are poor, hungry, mourning, and persecuted.

He turns worldly wisdom on its head by proclaiming that those who are often despised by society are actually the ones who will inherit the kingdom of God.

He also pronounces woes upon those who are rich, full, and comfortable in this world, warning them of the emptiness of worldly pursuits.

As we study these verses, we are invited to examine our own lives.

Are we following in the steps of Jesus, aligning ourselves with His values, or are we being shaped more by the world around us?

This passage calls us to a deeper, often uncomfortable, understanding of what it means to be a follower of Christ.

It challenges our perspectives on wealth, success, suffering, and joy, urging us to prioritize eternal values over temporary comforts.

In the chapters leading up to this point in Luke, we’ve witnessed the growing tension between Jesus and the religious elite, as well as His increasing popularity among the people.

But here, Jesus makes a sharp distinction between those who are truly following Him and those who are merely seeking signs or self-glorification.

He sets the tone for the rest of His ministry by declaring that those who embrace the values of the kingdom of God will often find themselves at odds with the world.

Today, as we look at Luke 6:17-26, we will consider what it means to follow Jesus’ steps in a world that often values the opposite of what He teaches.

Jesus calls us to be countercultural, to embrace the upside-down values of His kingdom, and to find true blessing in places we least expect.

Let’s listen closely, for the message He has for us today is just as relevant—and just as radical—as it was when He first spoke it.

I. The Setting: A Gathering of the Grieving

17 And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases; 18 And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed. 19 And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.

A Hungry Crowd Meets a Healing Christ

As Jesus descends from the mountain and He is met by a large and diverse crowd, eager to hear Him speak and to experience His healing power.

This setting is crucial, as it sets the stage for the radical teachings that follow.

Jesus is not merely a teacher with profound wisdom, but also a healer who is able to meet both physical and spiritual needs.

The crowd that gathers reflects the great hunger of the human soul for hope, healing, and truth, and Jesus is prepared to meet them where they are.

A. The Gathering Multitude

v. 17

The text tells us that Jesus came down with His disciples and stood on a level place, where a great multitude of people gathered to hear Him.

These people were from all over the surrounding regions—Judea, Jerusalem, and even as far as Tyre and Sidon (v. 17).

The significance of the crowd’s makeup is that it included Jews and Gentiles alike, showing that Jesus’ message of the kingdom of God is for all people, not just a specific group.

The people’s presence wasn’t coincidental; they came with a deep need—they were suffering physically, spiritually, and emotionally.

In a similar way, today, people are still searching for true answers to life’s deepest questions.

Many are weary, struggling with personal sin, loss, fear, or even the emptiness of worldly success.

The challenge for us, as the church, is to be a place that reflects the openness of Christ’s ministry, welcoming those who are broken and desperate for the healing that only He can provide.

Are we as eager to meet the needs of those around us, especially those who are spiritually or emotionally hurting?

Jesus shows us that we should be ready to meet people where they are, regardless of their background or condition.

B. The Ministry of Healing

18 And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed. 19 And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.

These next verses give us a glimpse of the compassion and power of Jesus.

The crowd was not only there to hear words, but to be healed.

Luke records that many of those who came to Jesus were diseased and demon-possessed, and they sought healing from His power.

The text says that “virtue went out of him, and healed them all” (v. 19).

Jesus’ healing was not just physical; it was a display of His divine authority.

He did not turn anyone away.

In the same way, Christ calls us to be conduits of His grace to a world in need of healing.

While we may not be able to physically heal as Jesus did, we have the privilege of pointing others to the Great Physician who can heal broken hearts, mended relationships, and souls in need of forgiveness.

Are we offering them Christ, the ultimate Healer, who is more than capable of transforming their lives?

Jesus’ example calls us to show compassion and to take every opportunity to lead others to the One who can heal them completely.

II. The Standards: Blessings for the Broken

20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. 22 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. 23 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.

As the crowd gathered around Jesus, He opened His mouth and began to teach, offering words that would challenge everything they (and we) thought we knew about blessing, success, and happiness.

What follows in these verses are the Beatitudes, a series of blessings that turn the world’s values upside down.

Where the world honors the rich, the powerful, and the comfortable, Jesus calls those who are poor, hungry, and persecuted “blessed.”

This is a radical redefinition of what it means to be truly happy and fulfilled.

A. The Blessed Poor

(v. 20)

“Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.”

In a world that prizes wealth, security, and self-sufficiency, Jesus’ statement is startling.

He doesn’t say that poverty itself is virtuous, but rather that those who are poor are blessed because they are more likely to recognize their dependence on God.

Jesus is not advocating for material poverty, but for spiritual poverty—a recognition that we have nothing to offer God and must rely on Him for everything.

In Matthew 5:3, the corresponding verse to this Beatitude says,

Matthew 5:3 KJV

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

This poverty in spirit speaks to humility, a heart that is aware of its spiritual need.

Jesus is essentially saying that those who are humble and realize their own insufficiency are the ones who will inherit the kingdom of God.

This calls us to examine our own hearts.

Are we spiritually poor?

Do we recognize our need for God, or do we rely on our own achievements and resources?

Only those who acknowledge their poverty before God can experience the richness of His kingdom.

B. The Blessed Hungry

(v. 21a)

“Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled.”

Again, this is a radical statement.

The world tells us that happiness is found in being satisfied—whether through food, wealth, success, or pleasure.

IN Matthew 5:6 Jesus declares that those who hunger and thirst—not just for food, but for righteousness.

Matthew 5:6 KJV

6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Those who long for God, who thirst for His presence, will find their hearts satisfied in Him.

In a world that seeks to fill the emptiness with temporary pleasures, Jesus says that the deepest satisfaction comes from longing for Him above all else.

Are we hungry for God?

Do we long for His righteousness and for the fulfillment of His kingdom?

Or do we find ourselves settling for the fleeting satisfactions that the world offers, only to be left wanting more?

C. The Blessed Mourners

(v. 21b)

“Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.”

In a culture that seeks to avoid pain at all costs, Jesus’ words are both comforting and challenging.

Weeping here refers to mourning over sin, brokenness, and the fallen state of the world.

Those who grieve over the reality of sin and its consequences are blessed because they are in tune with God’s heart.

The Bible teaches that God draws near to those who mourn…

Psalm 34:18 KJV

18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; And saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

and He promises that one day,

Revelation 21:4 KJV

4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

The blessed life is not the one without sorrow, but the one that mourns over what is wrong in this world and places its hope in God’s future victory.

Do we grieve over sin and the brokenness of the world?

Or do we become numb to the suffering around us?

True blessing comes when we mourn over the things that matter to God, knowing that His comfort and joy will follow.

D. The Blessed Persecuted

22 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. 23 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.

This final Beatitude speaks directly to the persecution that comes from living out one’s faith.

Jesus promises blessing not to those who avoid suffering, but to those who endure it for His sake.

In a world that idolizes comfort, prestige, and acceptance, Jesus tells His followers to rejoice when they are hated, excluded, and mistreated because of their allegiance to Him.

Jesus encourages us that the reward for enduring such persecution is eternal.

The temporary suffering will be far outweighed by the eternal glory.

Are we willing to be disliked or persecuted for following Christ?

If our faith has never cost us anything, it’s worth asking whether we are truly living for His kingdom or just fitting into this world.

The Beatitudes stand in sharp contrast to the world’s values.

They call us to humility, longing, mourning, and courage—values that go against the grain of worldly wisdom.

But they also hold a promise: that those who live according to the kingdom of God will receive a reward that far surpasses anything this world can offer.

There is a story of a man who had great wealth and success in the eyes of the world.

Yet, as he approached the end of his life, he found himself empty and unfulfilled.

On his deathbed, he said to his family, “I wish I had spent my life pursuing what truly matters—what I could take with me into eternity. I wish I had lived for the kingdom of God.”

Let’s not wait until the end of our lives to recognize that true blessing is found in following Christ and living for His kingdom, even when it means embracing a life that the world does not understand.

III. The Sorrows: Warnings for the Worldly

24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. 25 Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. 26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

As Jesus turns to pronounce the blessings on those who follow His kingdom values, He also issues a series of woes—warnings to those who live according to the world’s standards.

These woes are a stark contrast to the blessings He just described and are a serious call to self-examination.

Jesus warns of the consequences of pursuing worldly success, comfort, and popularity at the cost of following Him.

A. Woe to the Rich

(v. 24)

“Woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.”

In the culture of Jesus’ time—and still today—wealth is often seen as a sign of blessing and success.

The rich are admired, and many believe that wealth brings happiness and security.

But Jesus flips this idea on its head.

He warns that those who trust in their riches rather than in God have already received their reward.

This isn’t a condemnation of wealth itself, but a warning against dependence on wealth and the false sense of security it provides.

What is your trust in?

Is it in your bank account, your job, your possessions?

Or is your trust in God, the One who owns everything?

Jesus is calling us to examine our hearts and remember that true security is found in Him alone.

B. Woe to the Full

(v. 25a)

“Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger.”

The world promises that satisfaction can be found in comfort and indulgence—whether through food, pleasure, or material abundance.

But Jesus warns that those who live only for earthly satisfaction will ultimately find themselves spiritually hungry.

This speaks not only to physical hunger but to the deeper hunger of the soul that cannot be satisfied by the things of this world.

When we become complacent in our comfort, we often forget our need for God.

True satisfaction comes from seeking God and His righteousness, not from the fleeting pleasures of the world.

Are we settling for the temporary pleasures of this world, or are we seeking true satisfaction in Christ?

C. Woe to the Laughing

(v. 25b)

“Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.”

This warning is aimed at those who live carefree, who laugh and revel in their own enjoyment without regard for the realities of sin, suffering, and eternity.

While laughter and joy are not bad in themselves, Jesus warns against superficial joy that ignores the deeper issues of the heart.

Those who live only for the present moment, focusing on their own comfort, will eventually face the mourning and weeping that comes with the inevitable consequences of sin.

Are we mourning the things that matter to God, or are we content in the temporary pleasures that will one day be taken away?

D. Woe to the Popular

(v. 26)

“Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.”

This final woe is aimed at those who seek the approval and admiration of others above all else.

Popularity is often seen as a sign of success, but Jesus warns that the approval of the world is no guarantee of righteousness.

In fact, the false prophets of old were popular because they told people what they wanted to hear, rather than speaking God’s truth.

The danger of seeking popularity is that we may compromise our values or avoid speaking the hard truths of the gospel in order to maintain a favorable reputation.

Jesus is warning that the approval of the world should not be our goal; our goal should be to please God, even if it means rejection and suffering from others.

Are we living to please people, or are we living to please God?

The world will often speak well of those who compromise, but we are called to stand for truth, even when it costs us popularity and approval.

Conclusion

As we conclude today, Jesus’ words in Luke 6:17-26 challenge us to examine our hearts and realign our values with His kingdom.

The world measures success by wealth, comfort, and popularity, but Jesus teaches that true blessing is found in humility, dependence on God, and even suffering for His sake.

The question we must ask ourselves is this:

Are we living for the temporary rewards of this world, or are we investing in eternity?

The Beatitudes remind us that God’s kingdom operates by a different standard—one that calls us to trust Him even in hardship, to hunger for righteousness rather than earthly gain, and to rejoice when we face rejection for His name.

Let’s not be deceived by the world’s fleeting pleasures.

Instead, may we embrace the countercultural call of Christ, finding joy in His promises, strength in His presence, and true fulfillment in following Him.

As you go this week, consider:

Where is your treasure?

Are you seeking the applause of men or the approval of God?

May we be people who truly follow in His steps, walking in faith, trusting in His word, and living for the eternal rewards of His kingdom.