Luke 6:12- 49

The next thing that Luke records is the calling of the twelve to be apostles. Disciple actually means learner or pupil, while apostle means delegate; commissioner; messenger, or sent one; an ambassador.

We know the names of these men well: Peter and Andrew, James and John; Phillip and Bartholomew; Matthew and Thomas; James, son of Alphaeus and Simon, the Zealot; Judas, the son of James, and Judas Iscariot.  Jesus spent the whole night praying before choosing these 12 men as His set apart ambassadors.  Wonder what He was thinking about the choice of Judas?

As they came down from the mountain, there was a "great multitude of His disciples and a great throng of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon."  They came to hear Him and to be healed.  And they were.

Luke tells us that Jesus gazed at His disciples.. His pupils.. and began teaching.  This section parallels chapter 5-6 in Matthew, the Beatitudes.. although it is condensed.  Luke emphasizes some of the lessons:

Three "blesseds"-  the poor; the hungry; and the hated; (Those who felt anything but "blessed")
Three "woes" - the rich; the well-fed; and the well-spoken-of; ( Those who thought they had it all!)
Three commands -
1. Love your enemies - doing good to those who hate you, blessing those who curse you; and praying for those who mistreat you;
2. Give to those who ask - give more than what another takes from you; give without demanding something in return;  Give in a way that is above and beyond the ordinary.
3. Be merciful - don't judge; don't condemn, but pardon.

Three incredible statements;
1. "But love your enemies and do good and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to the ungrateful and evil men.:

2. "Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, they will pour into you lap. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return." 

3. "The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart." 

So much more in this chapter as the Lord Jesus turns the world on its head, so to speak.  Everything that the Jewish leaders had taught the people - keeping the Law and traditions as they sought wealth and honor and obedience - is completely thrown aside by the teaching of Jesus.

Love, give, show mercy... Jesus says that to hear these words and to do what He says is like building a house on a firm foundation.. on rock.  But, to ignore these words is like building a house on sand.  When the storm comes, the house.. the life.. will fall down.

Father in heaven, help us to know Your word, to do what Jesus has taught, and to live for You in all we do and say.  It is impossible for us, but nothing is impossible with You.  May Your will be done in each of us today..
In Jesus' name I ask this. Amen.