20 And Jesus lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: 21-22 “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! 23 Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.

24-26 But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.” Luke 6:20-26 English Standard Version

What brings the greatest happiness in life? For many of us it’s probably simple things such as a good marriage, healthy children and grand-kids, and living in a safe neighbourhood with enough money to get by. But for many people real happiness can only be found in being wealthy, famous, powerful, and promiscuous. On the outside, many people who've achieved those things may well look very happy. But many such lives have also ended in tragedy through multiple divorces, drug and alcohol addictions, and even suicides. So possessions, popularity, power and promiscuity in themselves don't give genuine inward satisfaction.

In today's verses Jesus used the word 'blessed'. It's a word that implies a deep and inward joy. It's much more than just ‘feeling happy’. And who does Jesus say are the ones who will experience this blessedness in life? Vs 20

That's right. It is those who follow him. A disciple is someone who closely follows and learns from a teacher – and Jesus was (and still is) the greatest teacher of all. But notice how, in vs 21-22, Jesus describes circumstances that usually cause great sorrow and drive people to despair. Poverty, hunger, tears and ridicule - those are not things that make anyone happy. Yet Jesus says that, even in the midst of such distresses, Christians have reason to rejoice and jump for joy! (vs 23)

Looking again at vs 21-23, what is the source of this joy and blessedness that Christians have, even when their circumstances are sorrowful?

They know that their sorrows, and this world, is not the full picture. They know that there is a real existence on the other side of the grave. And this is what the Bible says about that existence: “God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” (Revelation 21:3-4)

But what is the destiny of those who made possessions, popularity, power and promiscuity their ambition in life? (vs 24-26)

They've had their lot in life, they got what they sought for – but now they must give account to the one they ignored, rejected or even despised. They have joined the crowds who through the ages believed the lies many people told about God, and mocked those who were faithful to God. And just as the word 'blessed' means a deep, deep joy – so the word 'woe' implies a very deep distress and sorrow.

Jesus didn’t say that becoming famous or being rich is sinful – but he pointed out to his disciples that those things are not where they should set their hearts. True happiness in life belongs to those who put God first in their affections, and who stay faithful to Him through thick and thin. They may not have many rewards in this world, but they will be greatly blessed through all eternity.