Homeward Bound
Luke 6:17-26
When Jesus called His disciples, He didn’t just invite them to believe in Him—He invited them to follow Him. The call to discipleship is a call to movement, to a journey. In Luke 6, as Jesus teaches His newly chosen followers, He reveals what is next for them in this new life. They have been brought into something far greater than they could have imagined. They are being transported from this world into the Kingdom of Heaven. But this transition isn’t instant—it’s a journey, a path that leads through trials, suffering, and ultimately, transformation.
Through the Beatitudes, Jesus teaches His disciples about the road ahead. This is not a life of ease, but one of endurance. The way of the kingdom is not the way of the world. The world values riches, comfort, and status. But Jesus turns everything upside down, declaring that the poor, the hungry, and the hated are the ones who are truly blessed.
So what does this journey look like? And how do we walk it faithfully?
Humble Beginnings.
Every journey has a starting point, and the journey to the Kingdom of God begins with humility. Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3)
To be poor in spirit means to recognize that we have nothing of our own to offer God. It means acknowledging our complete dependence on Him. This is the opposite of the world’s thinking, which tells us to rely on ourselves, to build our own success, and to take pride in our accomplishments. But Jesus calls His disciples to something different. He tells them that true blessing comes not from self-sufficiency, but from realizing our deep need for God.
This is why Luke 6:20 says, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.” Jesus isn’t just talking about material poverty; He is talking about a heart posture. The disciples who had left everything to follow Him were experiencing this firsthand. They had no wealth, no status, and no security—only Jesus. And He tells them that this is exactly where they need to be.
When we realize that we bring nothing to the table except our need, that’s when we truly begin the journey.
New Appetite.
Before coming to faith, God’s law felt like a burden. It exposes our sin and makes clear how far we fall short. But once we trust Jesus, our relationship with the law changes. We no longer live under its condemnation; instead, we embrace it as a guide for living in the freedom Christ has given us.
It shifts from “I have to” to “I get to.”
Jesus doesn’t just save us—He transforms us. Our desires change. The things that once satisfied us no longer do, and we begin to hunger for the things of God. That’s why Jesus says, “Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied” (Luke 6:21)
But this hunger means we will feel the weight of the world’s brokenness more than ever. We will see sin more clearly, and we will weep over it. That’s why Jesus says, “Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.” The journey of faith is filled with sorrow, but it leads to joy.
A Difficult Road.
Following Jesus means walking a road that the world rejects. It means sorrow now but joy later. It implies struggle now but glory later.
Think of a marathon. Runners push forward, straining toward the finish line. There are moments of exhaustion, pain, and doubt. But those who endure find themselves filled with joy at the finish. In the same way, the Christian life is a race that requires endurance.
Jesus warns His disciples that they will be hated because of Him. “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.” (Luke 6:22-23)
This is hard to hear. None of us want to be hated. But Jesus assures us that when we face rejection because of Him, it is a sign that we are on the right path. The world opposed Him, and it will oppose His followers, too. But the promise is this: The suffering we endure now is not the end of the story.
Rejoice with Rejection.
Jesus clarifies that if you follow Him, the world will hate you. They hated Him first, and they will hate those who bear His name. “Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and revile you… on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven” (Luke 6:22-23)
Being insulted, rejected, or mocked may not feel like a blessing. But Jesus says it is. Why? It is proof that you are walking the right road. It’s a mark that you belong to Him.
Many in the world are comfortable now. They have their reward now. But Jesus gives a sober warning: “Woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry.” (Luke 6:24-25) Those who chase after the world’s comforts may enjoy them for a time, but in the end, they miss out on the true prize.
Mile Markers.
Not everyone is at the same place in this race. Some are just starting—learning how to walk in faith. Others have been running for a while and can help guide new ones. Some have taken detours, lured away by the world’s distractions. But here’s the good news: God always provides a way back. There’s always an on-ramp back onto the journey.
