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Here in Luke we find that some of the beatitudes are used,but they are used in conjunction with woes. Also Jesus contrasts the woes to the blessings. He is proclaiming much the way that the prophet Isaiah did, in that the first 39 chapters of Isaiah are woes to unrepentant Israel. The next chapters from Isaiah 40 are about how Israel will be comforted and speaks of the consolation of Israel. Here Jesus is very much concerned with describing what people in the Kingdom are like, whereas in the woes he contrasts people of the Kingdom who are consoled with the woes of the wicked who will be punished. The first woe contrasts with Jesus blessing of the poor. In Matthew it isn't just about economic status it is about the poor in spirit. What we must do is look at these beatitudes in all the 3 synoptic gospels and integrate them to get the whole picture. If we do that we won't just end up with a misinterpretation. The poor is not just economic status but a state of spirit. So when Jesus pronounces woes on the rich.He is saying woe to them for they have received their consolation. Remember in the beginning chapters of Luke we saw Simeon who was looking for the consolation of Israel. Consolation carries with it far more than economic powers of material comfort. Consolation does include material comfort,but not exclusively. The point Jesus is making is rather simple. He is saying people who are rich but have not sought out the things of God and His salvation have had their consolation in this life, but can never expect to see or receive it ever again.For money has been their God and the riches of Gods Kingdom have never come into their thoughts. Woe to those who are full now,for they shall hunger. Again if used with the beatitudes we see that it is not just physical hunger but a hunger and thirst for righteousness. Woe to them for they have not found the bread of life Jesus, who is Gods salvation. So because they have rebelled against God they will always want. Hunger carries the connotation of been in want not just physical hunger. Again it is used in contrast to the blessing made to those who hunger and thirst for righteousness now. It is also an attitude of must having this promised Kingdom of God. No matter what. The Kingdom of God and his righteousness is all that will satisfy you. And you will seek after it until you have been satisfied by it. "Woe to those who laugh for they shall mourn". Woe is pronounced by Jesus on the people who are not the people of God. It is a chilling warning to those who see everything going well apart from seeking God. Their laughter will be turned to terrible mourning when they are judged as rebels against the one and only true king. Then lastly woe is pronounced on those whom men speak well of,for so their fathers did to the false prophets. This is given in sharp contrast to those who are hated and persecuted on account of the Son of Man, Jesus. The point is that the gospel does confront people to turn away from false gods and their wicked ways. People who love wickedness hate to be told that what they are doing is wrong. They react violently to those who tell them to turn from wickedness and turn to the living God in Jesus Christ. This is evident in Islamic countries even in Israel as well as many others. The gospel is not grey,either one gives complete allegiance to Jesus Christ as King of all,or they compromise the gospel and water down the gospel so that they can get along with everyone. They when they do this have people speak well of them and are accepted by the enemies of God. Such people are enemies of God and His gospel and their compromise of the truth and desertion of allegiance brings woe upon. False religion can even masquerade its self as been Christian. False religion is not always as obvious as the religions which are as obviously anti gospel as muslim or hindu religion.Jesus says in the blessings and woes you can only be one of two kinds of people. There is no middle position. You are either a person as described in the blessings,which describes the people who are people of Gods Kingdom. The only other alternative brings terrible woe on all who are not counted as people of God, in Jesus Christ. These are the enemies of God and they come in many kinds. Woe is their end and inheritance |
