Challenge:  read all of Luke chapter 6

Luke chapter 6 is most well-known as the “Beatitudes chapter”, so much so, in fact, that what comes before and after are often simply overlooked. Today, I’d like to quickly take note of a few things that often get left out of this chapter.

“And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.

And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.” (Luke 6:10-12)

The Pharisees were “filled with madness”, not because Jesus did good, but because of when He did good.

Jesus’ response?

To go into a mountain to pray. All night. It was after that that the Beatitudes came.

He could have retorted. He could have sent a barrage of Scripture to back things up, as He had done when the Pharisees questioned the fact that His disciples were picking and eating corn on the Sabbath.

But He didn’t. Instead, he quietly went into a mountain to pray. Do you ever have times where the only solace to be had is alone with the Father? Then you’re in good company!

We should remember, as Christmas draws closer, exactly what it was Jesus wanted us to learn from those Scriptures: love… bless… give.

Doesn’t that sound like Christmas to you? The best part? We can take Christmas with us all year long!

Feel free to share your thoughts about this chapter in the comment section below! We’d love to be a part of the dialogue!

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If you missed other posts from this series, you can link to them here: ADVENT SERIES