Sermon of the Plain.

The Sermon on the Plain is a significant teaching of Jesus found in the Gospel of Luke, parallel in many ways to the more famous Sermon on the Mount in Matthew, but with its own distinct setting, audience, and emphasis.

You can find it in Luke 6:17-49.

Here is a breakdown of its key features, content, and meaning.

Key Differences from the Sermon on the Mount

Feature Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:17-49)

Setting A mountainside (Matt. 5:1) A level place, a "plain" (Luke 6:17)

Audience Primarily His disciples (Matt. 5:1-2) A great crowd of disciples and a large multitude of people from all over, including those who came to be healed (Luke 6:17-19)

Beatitudes 9 blessings (Matt. 5:3-12) 4 blessings paired with 4 corresponding woes (Luke 6:20-26)

Scope Longer, more comprehensive (3 chapters) Shorter, more concise (1 chapter)

Lord's Prayer Included (Matt. 6:9-13) Not included

Emphasis The righteousness of the Kingdom (internal & external) Social and economic justice, practical ethics, and the reversal of worldly values

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The Structure and Content of the Sermon on the Plain

1. The Setting: A Place of Healing and Teaching (Luke 6:17-19) Jesus stands on a level place,accessible to everyone—the sick, the troubled, the Twelve, and the curious crowds. He heals them all, setting the stage for a message of grace and power available to all.

2. The Four Blessings and Four Woes (Luke 6:20-26) This is the most distinct feature.Jesus proclaims blessings on those the world considers unfortunate and pronounces woes (a declaration of sorrow and judgment) on those the world typically envies. This is a radical reversal of values.

· Blessing: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God." (v.20) Woe: "But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation." (v.24)

· Blessing: "Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied." (v.21a) Woe: "Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry." (v.25a)

· Blessing: "Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh." (v.21b) Woe: "Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep." (v.25b)

· Blessing: "Blessed are you when people hate you... on account of the Son of Man!" (v.22) Woe: "Woe to you, when all people speak well of you..." (v.26)

3. The Core Ethic: Radical Love (Luke 6:27-36) This is the centerpiece of the sermon.Jesus commands a love that transcends natural human response.

· Love your enemies. (v.27)

· Do good to those who hate you. (v.27)

· Bless those who curse you. (v.28)

· Pray for those who abuse you. (v.28)

· Turn the other cheek. (v.29)

· Give to everyone who begs. (v.30)

· Do to others as you would have them do to you. (The Golden Rule, v.31)

The rationale for this impossible command? "Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful." (v.36). Our behavior is to be a reflection of God's character.

4. The Call to sincere righteousness, not judgment (Luke 6:37-42)

· Do not judge and you will not be judged.

· Forgive and you will be forgiven.

· A disciple is not above his teacher; we must first remove the "log" from our own eye before addressing the "speck" in our brother's.

5. The Conclusion: The Two Foundations (Luke 6:43-49) Identical to the end of the Sermon on the Mount,Jesus concludes with a call to authentic discipleship.

· A tree is known by its fruit. True transformation in the heart will produce good actions.

· The wise and foolish builders. Those who hear Jesus' words and obey them build a life that can withstand any crisis. Those who hear but do not obey are building on a foundation of sand.

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A Poem on the Sermon on the Plain

"On Level Ground"

He came down from the mount of prayer, To meet the people waiting there. Upon a plain,a level place, He offered them His truth and grace.

The sick, the pained, the desperate throng, He healed them all,made weak ones strong. Then to them all,He turned His face, And spoke of Kingdom love and grace.

“You poor, you hungry, filled with woes, You are the one My kingdom knows. But woe to you who’re full of pride, Who in your wealth and laugh,confide.”

Then spoke the hardest word of all, To break the hate,the vengeful wall: “You must now love your enemy’s name, And bless the one who speaks your shame. For if you love the ones who love, What credit is there from above?”

“The standard is the Holy One, The mercy of the Father’s Son. So be you merciful and true, As your Father is to you.”

“Don’t judge, don’t hold the fault and score, Forgive,and Heaven will restore. For with the measure you assign, It will be measured back in kind.”

He spoke of trees and fruit they make, Of foundations that will shake. “The one who comes and hears My call, And on these words will build their all— Though winds may blow and floods may rise, Their house will stand before My eyes.”

So on this plain, we all stand level, Before the King,to break our devil. The poor,the rich, the sick, the well, To hear His words our heaven or hell. Will we just hear and walk away? Or build upon what He did say?