Craig T. Owens

In just seven verses, Jesus tells us how to experience God’s blessing or be prepared to say, “Woe is me!” What a contrast! Check out Luke 6:20-26.

The four blessed promises are in verses 20-22, and the four woe warnings are in verses 24-26. Connecting them (v. 23) is Jesus essentially saying, “You can have blessing, or you can have woe. Your choice.”

There is a secure reward and eternal blessing for those who—

• are Earth-poor and Heaven-rich
• are dissatisfied with anything but the things of God
• weep over the present sinful state of humanity
• are persecuted, excluded, insulted or rejected by the world because they identify with Christ

But woe to those who—

• want riches and comfort now
• are satisfied with what the world can give
• laugh at the smutty things of Earth
• desire worldly popularity above hearing God say, “Well done, good and faithful servant”

Choices must be made every day. These choices lead to either blessing or woe. 

Choose the blessings!