In Luke chapter 6, we read as Jesus is again teaching, and He says “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep. Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.” (Luke 6:24-26) These “woes” are in contrast to the “Blessed” statements earlier, and also found in Matthew 5. While “blessed” means happy, the word here “woe” means the opposite – sad and unhappy!
Let’s look at them more closely. First He says “But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.” In other words, those who’s lives are based completely upon their own riches, their own abilities, and their own “righteousness”. This is in contrast to “Blessed are the poor in spirit”. Obviously, those who think they have it all together, those who think they don’t need Jesus, and those who feel they can make their OWN way, are going to find out that their satisfaction doesn’t last, and will end in misery.
Secondly, “Woe to you who are full now, for you shall be hungry.” Here he addresses those who do NOT hunger and thirst after righteousness. People who claim to know Jesus (and those who don’t know Him) yet have no real desire to grow closer and stronger in their faith. He says they shall be hungry, when they find out that their faith isn’t real and it doesn’t satisfy.
Then, “Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.” A warning to those who think life is one big party, and they are just meant to have fun and do whatever they want. One day they will find out that we must give an account of everything we do and say to Almighty God!
And finally he says, “Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets.” Because obviously, if we truly follow Jesus Christ, and live the way we are commanded to live in His Word, there are going to be people who do not like us. There are going to be people who even hate us and despise us the closer we walk with God. The Bible warns us that all who live GODLY WILL suffer persecution. We shouldn’t be seeking the praise and approval of a lost world, and if we do what is right, we’ll seldom get their praise!
These warnings are all in contrast to the “Beattitudes” and the TRUE Christian life. It’s NOT an easy road, it’s NOT a party, and it’s NOT always fun following Jesus, but it is the most satisfying thing we can ever seek after – when we TRULY deny self, take up our cross, and follow Him!