JESUS TELLS IT LIKE IT IS

Time to use your imagination.  Picture a hill.  A pretty steep hill.  One like you might sled down.  At the bottom of the hill is a flat area.  Can you see it? Add color to the grass and trees and the water.  Now add sound.  Can you hear them?  There are some men standing around.  The disciples are not sure what is going to happen.  They are never sure what Jesus is going to do.  He seems calm.  Jesus is ready to deliver one of his sermons.

Slowly, at first and then in a wave, people are coming over the hill.  They are all chatting.  The disciples cannot understand what they are saying, but they hear Jesus’ name.  As the crowd starts sitting down, the conversations are almost being whispered.  The hill is now covered with people - men, women, children, the very old.  They had heard Jesus was going to be here and they came.  Each had a reason.  Each had a need.  Each had a void in their soul that needed filled.

Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down.  His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.

Matthew 5:1-2

Jesus turned towards the people.  Every voice was silent.  Every eye was looking at one man.  Every person was focused on one thing: Jesus.

Do you see Jesus walking up the mountainside?  I wonder if people were thinking they either had a good seat or were upset because they were not closer.  Jesus sits down and then his disciples join him.  There would be no sound now.  No whispered conversations.  Were they worried they would not hear him?  Everyone would be waiting for Jesus’ first words.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Matthew 5:3-12

Can you imagine being there as Jesus delivered this sermon?  The disciples had prime seats.  Were they amazed that Jesus’ voice could be so normal yet be heard by every person.

And what did he just say?  Were they confused?  Blessed are the poor in spirit?  Blessed are the meek? Blessed if I am persecuted?  Turn the cheek?  Be perfect?  Do not pray like the hypocrites?  Store up treasures in heaven?  Do not judge?  False prophets and disciples?  A strong foundation?

I wonder if the disciples were confused? Did they listen to Jesus and wonder what he meant?  Did Jesus occasionally look at the disciples with compassion?  I am sure he realized the disciples and people did not understand exactly what he meant.

When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

Matthew 7:28-29

Put yourself there.  You heard Jesus speak.  You are amazed at his teaching.  You stand up to leave and realize he spoke with authority.  You turn to your friends and ask, “Who is this man? Where does his authority come from?”  Your friends would ask about something Jesus said and that would lead to a discussion that lasted all the way home.

I think the disciples watched as people started to leave and they also wondered about the meaning of the sermon.  Maybe they could question Jesus as they followed him.  They quickly realized there would be no alone time to ask Jesus questions.  Sitting down with him would have to wait.  Not everyone went home.  A large crowd followed Jesus.

Do not fear.  I am not going to put the full Sermon on the Mount here.  You can read it in Matthew 5:1-7:29.  You will not be surprised to know that I do have a couple of questions.

Did Jesus expect everyone to understand the Sermon on the Mount or was the rest of his ministry an example of his words that day?

Did Jesus deliver his message in such a way as to make people question, talk, and open their eyes to the truth?