There’s hope.

And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said:

“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!  Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets.

“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.

To the downtrodden and broken-hearted, this is good news. Those to whom life has been hard, this is hope. The story will not always be one of heartache and tears. There is a time in the redemption of the kingdom where these things will be no more. Jesus is giving hope and lifting the people.

It is true that Luke seems to take a much more practice recording of Jesus’ words. More of this earth than that of Matthew. So much so that some have wondered if this is a different message in a different place.

It very well could be. Jesus was an itinerant preacher. He could have easily preached the same message with a similar bent. This was done all the time even as we see many similarities from the epistles from Paul.

It also could have been understood that the people knew that this was a spiritual fulfillment. Luke is giving a shortened version of the beatitudes.

Either way it does not take away from the truth. The hardness of this life is not all there is. There is a hope and a joy that will be in the kingdom.

But there’s also warning who live for this life alone. Their wealth will perish with them. So will their food. Their laughter now will turn into tears. And while they may have the respect of men, they will not have the favor of God.

It’s not that God does not love rich people or their blessings. But it is how they are living their lives. Are they living their lives for themselves? Are their blessings just for their own pleasure? And is what they do just to hear the praise of men? Then that’s a problem. Woe to them.

But for those who are poor, exploited and beaten down, Jesus comes as a tender shepherd and encourages them. This isn’t the end of the story. Like he has said elsewhere…

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)