From verse 27 of Luke 6 all the way to the last four verses, the remainder of the “Sermon on the Plain” is really about how we treat and care for one another. And these verses do resonate in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 7. Jesus begins with the admonishment about loving ones enemies and doing good to those who hate you. The point of verses 27-29 is not that we are supposed to let people “run over” us, but God’s people are not to be vindictive, vengeful, or unnecessarily combative.

Yew trees looking south towards Sermon on the Mount (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Verse 37 about not judging others is a favorite reference for those who wish to justify sinful behavior. But Jesus did not tell us that we should not point out to others when they are doing wrong. In fact, there are other passages that tell us that the opposite is true. But at the same time, we cannot properly love our fellow-man if we are harshly or hypocritically judgmental. It all comes down to what Jesus said in Matthew 22:37-39 is the second of the greatest commandments – to “love your neighbor as yourself.”

In the middle of all of this, Jesus tells us to give generously to those in need. Loving, forgiving, and overflowing with generosity – these are the traits, habits and hallmarks of the way the Lord wants His children to be toward our fellow-man. He could not have been clearer. In verse 31, Jesus paraphrases what we call the golden rule from His Sermon on the Mount – “And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”

(This year’s reading plan for Luke, Acts, and 1 and 2 Chronicles averages just 15 verses per day – 5 days per week!)
Schedule for this week
Read or listen to audio of today’s selection from Luke here
Read or listen to audio of today’s selection from 1 Chronicles here

/Bob’s boy

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some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please note: I did not design the reading plan that I am following in my blog.  All of my comments in this blog, however, are solely my responsibility.  When reading ANY commentary, you should ALWAYS refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word. Reading schedules, as well as a link to the site where you can get the reading plan that I’m currently following for yourself can be found on the “Bible Reading Schedules” page of my website at http://graceofourlord.com.