Luke 6:17-38
Many of the talks of the Lord Jesus were to the people out of doors; such multitudes came from all parts of the country that there would not have been room in a building. Many came to be cured, and “He healed all,” as so many times, but He taught them also, and we read His words now.
The people then did not know they listened to the One Who had created the earth and all things: how wondeul to hear Him away from the disturbances of the towns! We can see what wisdom there was in all He said, how well He knew the lives of the people and their thoughts, just as He knows ours also.
Some of His words seem meant for the disciples who believed Him, yet all should believe, and they heard His plain words. He explained that if they were poor, hungry, weeping, and hated by men for the sake of the Son of man, they would most surely be blessed.
The law told that one who hurt another should be equally punished by him, but here Jesus gave “new ways” as He had before told there would be.
“But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you, bless them that curse you, pray for them which despitefully use you.”
This is not the natural way of any, but the way for those who follow the Lord Jesus, and the way of the kinom or rule of God,
“He is kind unto the unthankful and evil.”
“Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.”
All this showed that there would be wrongs and evil to suffer, but that the Lord would be a just judge, who would see all, and reward. He is the one who gives “good measure” of blessing for all done for Him; He told the people, “Give, and. it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over shall be given into your bosom” (vs. 38).
The law said they were to have just standards of weights and measure, then each man in his work or business was to use such exact and just measure, not to carry with him smaller measures, for gain to himself. Those who follow the Lord, would do even better than the “just” measure, they would “give”, which means, something not expected to be paid for. Men might never return the gift, or good measure, but the Lord will, His return will be “running over.” Even in this world His blessings of added peace and joy fully repay all done for Him.
Read of the just weights (Lev. 19:35, 36; Deut. 25:13-15).
So the words of the Lord Jesus are higher and fuller than the law to Moses: they show He may be honored in all the every day life of those who want to follow Him, but He did not promise lives free from trials, but that the reward of God would he sure. Many boys and girls must have been in the great company listening to the Lord, and understood His teaching, which is as true for us.
ML 02/11/1945