The Sermon on the Plain is a significant discourse delivered by Jesus Christ, as recorded in the Gospel of Luke, specifically in Luke 6:17-49. This sermon is often compared to the more extensive Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 5-7. While both sermons share similar themes and teachings, the Sermon on the Plain is distinct in its setting and some of its content.

Context and Setting

The Sermon on the Plain takes place after Jesus has chosen His twelve apostles. According to Luke 6:17, Jesus "came down with them and stood on a level place." This setting is contrasted with the Sermon on the Mount, which is delivered on a mountainside. The audience for the Sermon on the Plain includes a large crowd of disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon. They had come to hear Him and to be healed of their diseases (Luke 6:18-19).

Content and Themes

The Sermon on the Plain contains several key teachings of Jesus, many of which emphasize the values of the Kingdom of God and the ethical conduct expected of His followers. Some of the central elements include:

1. Beatitudes and Woes: Jesus begins with a series of blessings and woes, which are more concise than those in Matthew's account. He pronounces blessings on the poor, the hungry, those who weep, and those who are hated for His sake (Luke 6:20-22). Conversely, He pronounces woes on the rich, the well-fed, those who laugh now, and those who are spoken well of (Luke 6:24-26).

2. Love for Enemies: Jesus calls His followers to a radical love that extends even to their enemies. He instructs them to "love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you" (Luke 6:27-28). This teaching challenges the natural human inclination towards retaliation and emphasizes the transformative power of love.

3. The Golden Rule: Jesus articulates the principle known as the Golden Rule: "Do to others as you would have them do to you" (Luke 6:31). This ethical guideline encapsulates the essence of the Law and the Prophets and serves as a foundational principle for Christian conduct.

4. Judging Others: Jesus warns against hypocritical judgment, urging His followers to first examine their own lives before criticizing others. He uses the metaphor of removing the plank from one's own eye before addressing the speck in another's eye (Luke 6:41-42).

5. A Tree and Its Fruit: Jesus teaches that a tree is known by its fruit, illustrating that the true nature of a person is revealed by their actions. "For each tree is known by its own fruit" (Luke 6:44). This teaching underscores the importance of genuine righteousness and integrity.

6. The Wise and Foolish Builders: The sermon concludes with the parable of the wise and foolish builders. Jesus emphasizes the importance of not only hearing His words but also putting them into practice. Those who do so are likened to a wise builder who constructs his house on a solid foundation (Luke 6:47-49).

Significance

The Sermon on the Plain, like the Sermon on the Mount, encapsulates the ethical and moral teachings of Jesus, highlighting the values of the Kingdom of God. It challenges believers to live lives marked by humility, love, and righteousness, reflecting the character of Christ in their interactions with others. The sermon serves as a timeless guide for Christian living, calling followers of Jesus to embody the principles of His Kingdom in their daily lives.