Luke 6:23 Commentary - Dr Peter Masters

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Luke 6:23

Comments

Christ tells his disciples to do something in response which is unexpected, surprising, and one might think, unnatural. They are to rejoice when they receive this evil treatment. How can they do that? Only because they believe his word and his analysis of the situation. This rejoicing is born of faith. ‘Rejoice ye in that day,’ and go further, ‘leap for joy.’ This joy will assist faith in its conclusion. It will drive out the fear and the discouragement that threatens to overwhelm. It will turn the eyes on what is real and away from appearances. It appears that the world has won the day, and that if it will not receive the believer into its company, then all is lost and the believer is left with nothing. But God tells us that the things are will not remain for ever, and he will bring about a great change. There is a recompense from the Lord coming to his children, and when it comes it will be as if the former darkness had never been. Meanwhile the believer has work to do. He cannot accept things at face value. Faith must be busy and never relax for a moment, for it has to resist the illusion that the world tries to create constantly. The company of this world is not so marvellous after all. Actually, this works for the benefit of the believer. When he is cast out of their company, he is delivered from a host of temptations. While the world continues to solicit our friendship we are vulnerable to its flatteries, but once it declares itself our enemy we are much safer in that respect. It is often harder to resist flattery than to bear scorn. Temptation comes from being in evil company. ‘Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners’ (1 Corinthians 15:33).

Application

Here is where the Saviour tells us to focus our attention, and it is no doubt where his attention was focused as he endured the contradiction of sinners. ‘Behold, your reward is great in heaven.’ Is that not enough for us? Do we want our reward now in this life, as well as in heaven? We cannot have both. Patience is willing to wait for the better reward to come. How can the joys of heaven be compared to the welcoming company of evil men?

And the prophets are set before us as an encouragement. They were resolute men. They did not flinch from being persecuted, or give way to the pressure of being contradicted. They knew that they stood for the word of God, and they would not give way an inch to reduce the opposition they faced. Christ is willing to count his disciples in the noble company of such worthy witnesses, if they too will have the backbone to stand for the truth.

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Luke 6:23 Commentary and Bible Study