Luke 6:20-26 Our suffering is with the Prophets

Raising his eyes toward his disciples Jesus said:

"Blessed are you who are poor,
for the Kingdom of God is yours.
Blessed are you who are now hungry,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who are now weeping,
for you will laugh.
Blessed are you when people hate you,
and when they exclude and insult you,
and denounce your name as evil
on account of the Son of Man.

Rejoice and leap for joy on that day!
Behold, your reward will be great in heaven.
For their ancestors treated the prophets
in the same way.

But woe to you who are rich,
for you have received your consolation.
But woe to you who are filled now,
for you will be hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now,
for you will grieve and weep.
Woe to you when all speak well of you,
for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way."

In this passage we see Jesus proclaiming the beatitudes. Here Jesus celebrates those who suffer and relates their suffering to the prophets. This reminds us that the cross is not easy. That spreading the gospel and proclaiming what is good and just comes with hardship. In this world doing what is right often comes with hardship. So many times people give up but Christ reminds us that by joining the prophets, we are ushering in God's will and making the Kingdom of God a reality. Hence, truly those who suffer to proclaim the gospel will gain eternal life. Those who cling to their life will lose if for that is the path to selfishness.