A CROWD WALKS TO THE MOUNTAINSIDE

Can you see Jesus?  For a change, he is not walking.  He is sitting on the mountainside, waiting for the disciples.  He is looking at the growing crowd.  He sees the people as they look at him.  Each person has come to hear him, in the hopes that a hole in their soul can be filled.  Many have brought a loved one or a friend to be healed.

Can you see the people?  There are so many.  So many of God's children are searching.  They know there is more to life, but nothing has helped.  The teachers of the law.  False prophets.  False teachers.  The people have listened to them.  They thought each brought hope.  But each had made promises they could not fulfill.  They have, once again, come to hear a man.  Once again, they prayed, “God, send us a savior.  Send us the truth.”  Would this Jesus be the one they are waiting for?  Is he the one?

Can you see the disciples? They are making their way to sit with Jesus.  The crowds are large, but Jesus seems so calm.  As the disciples sit down, so do the people.  It is as if they know something special is going to happen.  The sound of no one moving, no one talking, no one even whispering, fills the air.  Jesus begins speaking to the disciples.

Picture Jesus again.  Was he wondering if the disciples would understand?  He knew his words could confuse them.  As he looked at the crowd, were all eyes focused on him?  Did he see hope growing as they heard: Blessed are … our Father will reward you …forgive others … do not worry … do not judge others … recognize false prophets by their deeds … build on a strong foundation.

“… and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Jesus finished.  Can you picture the time between when Jesus spoke these last words and when he stood up?  The disciples would not stand before Jesus, but they did not know if he was done or just taking a breath.  The crowd would be waiting for him to continue.  They were not going to stand up and then have to sit down again.  There was a gap, like when you go to a concert and wonder if they are really done or if they went off the stage to build the expectation of another song.

Finally, Jesus stood up and walked down the mountainside.

As Jesus walked, he encountered those who feel no shame for their actions.

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When you look at someone, you see if their hair is combed, what clothes they are wearing, and what color their eyes are.  When Jesus looks at people, he sees the real person.

One more time, use your imagination.  Put yourself in Jesus' place.  Now look at the people.  Look past the haircuts and $1,000 sneakers.  Look behind the fake smile and see the pain.  Ignore a woman’s tattered dress and hear the prayers for her children.  Hear the worry when the man says “everything is good” and see the man who is afraid he will lose his job.  Have compassion for the child whose legs will not hold them up.  What would that be like?  What if you could see the real person and know their story?  Would it be overwhelming to realize so many are lost, hurting, seeking, needing your help?  Would that be a burden?  Or would it be an opportunity to lift that person up, as you told them about the way to eternal life?

SCRIPTURES REFERENCED: Matthew 5:1-2, Matthew 5:3-7:27, Luke 6:17-49, Matthew 7:28-29, Luke 7:1, and John 14:6