Luke's Sermon on the Plain

Introduction

I’m surprised when I learn that someone doesn’t know the source for the “Golden Rule” is Jesus. “Treat others in the same way that you would want them to treat you” (Lk 6:31) has been woven into our cultural DNA, though it has been stripped of its rich meaning to the point I rarely think of it as anything other than a tired cliché. I am therefore grateful to Luke and his “orderly account” (Lk 1:3) for providing a structure that highlights just how important this rule is, as well as provide a much richer meaning.

The last time I taught, I put the narrative structure bit at the end, but this week we’ll start there. It turns out Jesus’ teachings about how we are to love others culminate in the Golden Rule. What’s more, this is also the centerpiece of Jesus’s initial ministry phase. We will also see Luke repeat and emphasize Jesus as the savior promised by Isaiah, most notably by continually referring to Isaiah 61. Lastly, we will see that Jesus’ teaching of the Sermon on the Plain and selection of the 12 apostles is reminiscent of Moses establishing the covenant with God and Israel, indicating Jesus is the one establishing the New Covenant.

Narrative Structure

After the birth narrative, Luke gives us an account of Jesus’ Galilean ministry. The Sermon on the Plain fits into this section, running form chapters 3 through 9.

A. “This is my Son, my Chosen One” (baptism, Luke 3:22)

B. Hardship in the wilderness (New Exodus, Luke 4:1)

C. Jesus begins his ministry (Luke 4:18-21)

D. Disciples and Apostles (concentric parallel, Luke 4:40-6:19)

E. Beginning to teach (Luke 6:20)

F. Blessings and woes (Luke 6:21-26)

G. Love for enemies (Luke 6:27-30)

H. Golden Rule (Luke 6:31)

G. On loving enemies (Luke 6:32-35)

F. On judgement (Luke 6:36-42)

E. Obedience (Luke 6:43-49)

D. Embracing the Word (concentric parallel, Luke 7:1-8:56)

Jesus and John the Baptist (Luke 7:18-28)

Jesus anointed (Luke 7:36-50)

C. Jesus commissions and sends out the Twelve (Luke 9:1-6)

B. Abundance (Luke 9:10-17)

A. “This is my Son, my Chosen One” (transfiguration, Luke 9:35)

Jesus as Isaiah Promised Savior

Let’s read the segments of Isaiah 61, etc. that Luke explicitly cites in this section.

The NET Bible Chapter 4

4:18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives

and the regaining of sight to the blind,

to set free those who are oppressed,

4:19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

The NET Bible Chapter 7

So he answered them, “Go tell John what you have seen and heard: The blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have good news proclaimed to them.

Luke records Jesus having performed these miracles up to the point, which validate his teaching. The emphasis of repetition and validation are meant to leave us with no doubt that Jesus is the one promised by Isaiah. Let’s now turn to the new covenant aspects of Jesus as the prophet like Moses, which is more heavily emphasized in Matthew’s gospel.

Jesus as the Prophet like Moses

Moses goes up on Mt. Sinai to meet with God

Jesus goes up on a mountain to pray

Moses erects 12 pillars representing the tribes of Israel

Jesus selects the Twelve

Moses brings down the Testimony / Old Covenant

Jesus comes down to give the Sermon on the Plain / New Covenant

Why is it important to highlight this? Israel had been governed by the Torah (Old Covenant) up to that point, but they continued to fail. God promised to create a New Covenant and write it on their hearts. The New Covenant is not just that Jesus died and rose again that we might be saved. He came to restore us to the role for which we were originally created, as partners and members of God’s family working on his behalf to spread his love throughout his creation.

That restoration has begun already, and Jesus’ teaching here is the vision of what it should look like. Note, however, that just as the Old Covenant was not the list of entrance requirements, neither is Jesus’ teaching a list of entry requirements but rather a list of covenant commitments. The blessings and curses and promise of sowing and reaping match the pattern established in Leviticus and Deuteronomy.

The Sermon

We don’t have time for a thorough review of the contents of Jesus’ Sermon, but I would like to highlight some particulars for you to draw out the fuller meaning.

Just as Isaiah 61 does not limit “poor” to be only financially destitute, neither does Luke. All of the blessings are meant to highlight those who had endured trials or oppression at the hands of their fellow man. Many examples in the Psalms provide excellent parallels: Psalms 36, 37, 69, 86, 107, 109, 146, etc. The blessings section ends with a note on a future rejoicing, i.e. more is yet to come.

The curses also point from present state to future state, but these include an implied warning to repent. On the other side of the Golden Rule are instructions on how to show mercy, judge, and otherwise love rightly that come with a promise that we will reap what we sow. As you do, so it will be done to you.

Jesus concludes his sermon by describing what those who obey him are like houses built on the rock. Note that the emphasis here is on our obedience to him. This is not simple rule following. This isn’t, “Follow these ten steps to success.” This is a committed loyalty, more like a marriage.

Summary

All of this points back to the Golden Rule in Luke 6:31. This is a direct tie to Leviticus 19:18, the same verse Jesus cites when answering which is the Greatest Commandment. This is not a command to reciprocate what you would want unto others. I think we all know we are each different enough that what some may call a blessing, another may count as a curse. Instead, this is a call to love others as God loves, as God loves you. This is a call to be imitators of God’s love. We should seek opportunities to help and to serve.

If you have much, share with those who have little, even enemies, or those who look, act, or think differently than you. If Jesus came to restore, then acknowledge that by acting in like manner. Do you look forward to no more hunger or poverty, then meet needs, even if you are less comfortable. Bring joy to others and not sorrow. We will one day rejoice forever.

We are citizens of a kingdom. Live like it. Proclaim it. Loyally serve it and others. We are the Church of the Lord Jesus. We are supposed to be known by our love. Go, therefore, in the Lord’s love and love as He loved you.

Sources

Biblical Studies Press. (2005). The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible. Biblical Studies Press.

https://sermononthemount.org.uk/Bible/Luke6v20_49.html

http://biblestudymanuals.net/sermon_mount_vs_plain.htm

https://cjd.org/2014/11/19/the-beatitudes-are-the-new-commandments/

https://www.agapebiblestudy.com/BEATITUDES/Lesson_2.htm

Chadwick, Dennis W. Both Here and There: Studies in Concentric Parallelism in the Gospel of Luke. Wipf & Stock.