What really makes you happy? That’s the root meaning of the word blessed, you know. Is it material things? Human relationships? A fulfilling career? Popularity? Whatever is on your list, Jesus has some challenging words for you.

If you compare this passage with Jesus’ similar teaching in Matthew chapter 5, one big thing stands out – Jesus makes it clear that material possessions aren’t the key to happiness. For where Matthew records Jesus’ saying that the poor in spirit are blessed, Luke simply says Jesus blesses the poor. Where Matthew records Jesus blessing those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, Luke simply says the hungry are blessed. In short, Luke highlights the radical notion that not having enough material things can be a blessing. Being poor is one of Jesus’ keys to happiness.

But Jesus goes deeper. In verse 21, He insists that those who weep should be happy. In verse 22, He says that those who are unpopular should be happy. And in verse 23, He goes so far as to say that those who are poor and sad and despised should leap for joy. In short, He turns every one of our notions of happiness on its head. He insists that none of the things so many of us spend our lives chasing can really bring us happiness.

So, what is the secret to happiness? One thing: our relationship with God. Now, this is most obviously true in the life to come, as verse 23 says. Those who are faithful to Christ will certainly share His reward in Heaven. But verse 21 reminds us that if we are joined to Christ by faith, we already have the greatest possible blessing – the Kingdom of God is within us now. We are already not only subjects of the One True King, but we are His sons and daughters. And nothing anyone can say about us or do to us can change this fundamental truth. And no matter how few our worldly blessings may be, no one can tear us away from God and His love.

And maybe this helps to explain why Jesus thinks poverty and sadness and unpopularity are actually a reason for His people to rejoice – for whenever we lack such worldly treasure, it is much easier for us to focus on what is really important, on Christ and His love, His approval, and His blessings. Worldly prosperity can thus be quite dangerous, as such things can so easily distract us from the true and lasting source of our happiness.

The crowds that surrounded Jesus in verses 17 through 19 didn’t seem to get this point. They were only interested in material blessings – being healed of their sicknesses. That was enough to make them happy, or so they thought. So, what about you?

Luke 6:17-23 (NASB)

17 And He descended with them, and stood on a level place; and there was a great multitude of His disciples, and a great throng of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon,
18 who had come to hear Him, and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were being cured.
19 And all the multitude were trying to touch Him, for power was coming from Him and healing them all.
20 And turning His gaze on His disciples, He began to say, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
21 “Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.
22 “Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and cast insults at you, and spurn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man.
23 “Be glad in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets.