Jesus Christ’s To Do List: Luke 6:20-49

After choosing twelve apostles, Jesus taught his disciples what they should do.

Luke 6:17:
And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases.

These people were hungry for truth and for good health. Jesus gave them both. Here is the “script” of Jesus’ teaching from Luke 6:20-49. Notice how it breaks into “groups of four.” Biblically, four relates to things in this world. Jesus gave them a to-do list for daily living.

The first group of four are the blessings and rewards for staying humble, desiring God’s fullness, enduring sorrow, and standing through reproach.

1. And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
2. Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled.
3. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.
4. Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.

Next, Jesus showed just the opposite. These are the woes to those who trust in worldly riches, are fully satisfied without God, laugh with earthly happiness, and have a good reputation among men.

1. But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.
2. Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger.
3. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.
4. Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

Jesus gave four actions in response to what others do. These were contrary to human nature, and far above worldly thinking: love your enemies, do good to the haters, bless the cursers, pray for the molesters.

1. But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies,
2. do good to them which hate you,
3. Bless them that curse you,
4. and pray for them which despitefully use you.

Jesus encouraged his disciples to “go the extra mile” in service and love. The next group of four show the ultimate in self-sacrifice.

1. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other;
2. and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.
3. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
4. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

Jesus was all love, not only to the good—but to those who needed to be loved into seeing God’s goodness. Even “sinners” will appear good to get something from their efforts. Jesus taught us to be like our loving Heavenly Father.

1. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
2. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
3. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
4. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

He taught that four ways to be like our Father are: bestowing mercy, not being critical, forgiving unreservedly, and giving with a cheerful heart.

1. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
2. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned:
3. forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
4. Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

To close out his teaching, Jesus did four “mini sermons.” The first shows the folly of not following the Messiah and walking in darkness. The second shows the hypocrisy of being “holier than thou.” The third shows that pure fruit comes from a pure heart. And the fourth shows that it’s not enough to just hear the truth; we must act on it.

1. And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch? The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.
2. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother’s eye.
3. For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
4. And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

Look at the depth of what our Lord and Savior taught his disciples. Living in this world, we need the love and practical advice he gave. Let’s live today, remembering the Master’s to-do list and wisely carrying it out!