And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them... (Matthew 5:1, 2, NKJV).
Radical Living - Part 001: Taught by God
This begins a series of expositions on Matthew 5-7, popularly known as "The Sermon on the Mount".
Who am I to argue, but in my view these three chapters are way more than a sermon. They are, instead, a detailed manifesto by God Himself on Radical Living. Contained within these verses are all the elements of a brilliant discourse, woven intricately within the tapestry of everyday life, human nature and venerable, divinely inspired cultural history.
I very much enjoy writing about passages of Scripture that I have committed to memory, and even the circumstances which prompted me to hide these verses in my heart served as evidence of God's gracious care. I NEEDED to know how to be, how to live, and how to react to the adverse and heart-breaking events that were happening to me and to my family at that time, and were soon to intensify. It is just like my Heavenly Father to provide exactly what is required precisely when it will be the most beneficial. That desire he gave me at that point is just one of His many good gifts.
I can testify with great assurance, that had I not been instructed so deeply by my Lord with these passages now engraved in the aging pathways of my mind, my response to those difficult circumstances would have been very different indeed. And although far, far from perfect, I was able to respond with more love, more patience and more mercy than remotely possible in my natural flesh. I am not saying that everyone should commit Matthew 5-7 to memory, for not everyone is nearly as thick-headed as me. What I am affirming as enthusiastically as I can, is that making this Sermon, all of this Sermon, part of my daily meditation changed my life.
Matthew Chapter 5 begins immediately after Jesus had ministered throughout "all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people." His fame was spreading and His popularity growing. He had confirmed His identity by His words and deeds, and was now engulfed in a sea of humanity. So, "seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain…".
By positioning Himself on elevated terrain, the people could both see Him from their lower vantage point, and would also need to expend some effort in drawing nearer to Him. I find that instructive. He was saying, in effect, here I AM. If you want Me, come up here. To be sure, it was a gentle enough incline that had to be navigated, but to get near enough to Him to discover more of what He was about took an active decision on the people's part. Those who cared to learn more moved up onto the hillside. Those too apathetic or embarrassed or prideful stayed in the valley. Even in the topography we see a perfect metaphor for the choices facing each and every person today. If you seek Him, He will be found. But you can choose to stay in the lower parts if you so decide. The choice is yours.
Those who did choose to draw near found Him seated. Learned Rabbis of that time typically sat down to teach, so the people would have known instantly that here was Someone who had some instruction to give. By His very presence, He became the center of their attention. No fanfare. No trumpets. No hawkers urging the audience closer. Just Jesus, as approachable as any Man, yet magnetic and charismatic.
There has been discussion throughout the ages what is meant by "His disciples came to Him" after He was seated. Was it just the twelve? Very doubtful because there were multitudes following Him at this point. Was it just those who already believed that He was Messiah? Again, doubtful in my view, because later some of these very same people would turn away from Him and against Him. What I find most meaningful about that phrase is that it sets the scene for what happened immediately afterward. Jesus rewarded those people who "came to Him" by teaching them.
Imagine that as if you had never heard of this event before. The Son of God - God Himself in human flesh - spoke to the people from His very lips. He who had uttered a few mere words and the Universe leapt into existence, gifted His rebellious creatures with loving, patient, authoritative instruction. He taught them how to be, and took considerable time to lay it all out in ways that even I can understand 2000 years later. Utterly amazing! Talk about unmerited favor!
Who has not wanted authoritative instruction on the most crucial issues of life at one time or another? Admit it! Who has not cried out to God in despair or frustration asking Him what to do or how to react? The truth is, He has already given all the instruction we will ever need. And the majority of it is right here in these three Chapters in Matthew.
Please, I encourage you beloved reader, join with me as we journey in our hearts and minds to that hillside two millennia ago, and bask in the words of our Lord and Savior as He carefully, beautifully, and lovingly teaches us all the fundamentals of a godly life. He did so NOT from on high, blasting His words of divine power across all of existence, but intimately, humbly, as one of us. Our Brother. Our Friend. Our Savior. Our King.
Radical Living - Part 001: Taught by God
This begins a series of expositions on Matthew 5-7, popularly known as "The Sermon on the Mount".
Who am I to argue, but in my view these three chapters are way more than a sermon. They are, instead, a detailed manifesto by God Himself on Radical Living. Contained within these verses are all the elements of a brilliant discourse, woven intricately within the tapestry of everyday life, human nature and venerable, divinely inspired cultural history.
I very much enjoy writing about passages of Scripture that I have committed to memory, and even the circumstances which prompted me to hide these verses in my heart served as evidence of God's gracious care. I NEEDED to know how to be, how to live, and how to react to the adverse and heart-breaking events that were happening to me and to my family at that time, and were soon to intensify. It is just like my Heavenly Father to provide exactly what is required precisely when it will be the most beneficial. That desire he gave me at that point is just one of His many good gifts.
I can testify with great assurance, that had I not been instructed so deeply by my Lord with these passages now engraved in the aging pathways of my mind, my response to those difficult circumstances would have been very different indeed. And although far, far from perfect, I was able to respond with more love, more patience and more mercy than remotely possible in my natural flesh. I am not saying that everyone should commit Matthew 5-7 to memory, for not everyone is nearly as thick-headed as me. What I am affirming as enthusiastically as I can, is that making this Sermon, all of this Sermon, part of my daily meditation changed my life.
Matthew Chapter 5 begins immediately after Jesus had ministered throughout "all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people." His fame was spreading and His popularity growing. He had confirmed His identity by His words and deeds, and was now engulfed in a sea of humanity. So, "seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain…".
By positioning Himself on elevated terrain, the people could both see Him from their lower vantage point, and would also need to expend some effort in drawing nearer to Him. I find that instructive. He was saying, in effect, here I AM. If you want Me, come up here. To be sure, it was a gentle enough incline that had to be navigated, but to get near enough to Him to discover more of what He was about took an active decision on the people's part. Those who cared to learn more moved up onto the hillside. Those too apathetic or embarrassed or prideful stayed in the valley. Even in the topography we see a perfect metaphor for the choices facing each and every person today. If you seek Him, He will be found. But you can choose to stay in the lower parts if you so decide. The choice is yours.
Those who did choose to draw near found Him seated. Learned Rabbis of that time typically sat down to teach, so the people would have known instantly that here was Someone who had some instruction to give. By His very presence, He became the center of their attention. No fanfare. No trumpets. No hawkers urging the audience closer. Just Jesus, as approachable as any Man, yet magnetic and charismatic.
There has been discussion throughout the ages what is meant by "His disciples came to Him" after He was seated. Was it just the twelve? Very doubtful because there were multitudes following Him at this point. Was it just those who already believed that He was Messiah? Again, doubtful in my view, because later some of these very same people would turn away from Him and against Him. What I find most meaningful about that phrase is that it sets the scene for what happened immediately afterward. Jesus rewarded those people who "came to Him" by teaching them.
Imagine that as if you had never heard of this event before. The Son of God - God Himself in human flesh - spoke to the people from His very lips. He who had uttered a few mere words and the Universe leapt into existence, gifted His rebellious creatures with loving, patient, authoritative instruction. He taught them how to be, and took considerable time to lay it all out in ways that even I can understand 2000 years later. Utterly amazing! Talk about unmerited favor!
Who has not wanted authoritative instruction on the most crucial issues of life at one time or another? Admit it! Who has not cried out to God in despair or frustration asking Him what to do or how to react? The truth is, He has already given all the instruction we will ever need. And the majority of it is right here in these three Chapters in Matthew.
Please, I encourage you beloved reader, join with me as we journey in our hearts and minds to that hillside two millennia ago, and bask in the words of our Lord and Savior as He carefully, beautifully, and lovingly teaches us all the fundamentals of a godly life. He did so NOT from on high, blasting His words of divine power across all of existence, but intimately, humbly, as one of us. Our Brother. Our Friend. Our Savior. Our King.
