All over the world, even people from other faiths, talk very highly of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount which is well documented in the Gospel of Matthew from chapter 5 to chapter 7. It is understood from the Bible point of view, that the word ’World’ always refers to a ‘society without God’.
While the Sermon on the Mount has received so much attention, a similar sermon preached by Jesus called ‘The Sermon on the Plain’ has virtually been ignored. It is found in the Gospel of Luke chapter 6 starting off from verses 17 to 49. Jesus seems to be indicating that one’s life on earth could be very contrasting to life in heaven. Here are a few examples from the passage titled ‘blessings and woes’ re-arranged to benefit the reader.
20 “Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
24 “But woe to you that are rich, for you have received your consolation.
21 “Blessed are you that hunger now, for you shall be satisfied.
25 “Woe to you that are full now, for you shall hunger.
21 “Blessed are you that weep now, for you shall laugh
25 “Woe to you that laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.
22 “Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you and revile you, and cast out 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.
26 “Woe to you, when all men speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.
Thought for the day: Can a Christian get the best out of both worlds – in earth and in Heaven?