9/20/2023

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READING:

“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 [all].” (Matthew 5.1-2)

TODAY’S REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD:

Among several translations we find headings/subtitles to designate a collection of writings with a singular focus. In the NIV, the heading attached to the Matthew 5.1-2 is “Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount.” Now, this wasn’t in the original scripting. These are editorial listings. When the scripture, or gospel before it was a story, was presented there were no trumpet blasts, paid announcer or media lead-ins. No one said “And now…the introduction to the Sermon on the Mount.” It was as plainly shared as we find in the original text because such titling revealed little more than a transition. Of course, the transition was already a part of the story. Equally, so was the purpose without summary. Plain truth, simply spoken. Profound truth, gladly received.

“Now when Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to Him. He began to teach them.”

Jesus went up.

Jesus sat down.

The disciples went up.

The disciples sat down.

Jesus taught the disciples.

The Word trickled down to them all.

We are familiar with the summary of the Law of Gravity: what goes up must come down…until you exceed escape velocity. Jesus seems to have depended on the law of gravity in the Word, literally and figuratively. The words Jesus spoke that day were very “grave” indeed. This was serious business for Jesus because it was the introduction to His Father’s work which He was called to do. Yes, I have said “teaching was not His work.” But, teaching was the Father’s business because it captured the good intent and will of God for His people. It would be interesting to note that Jesus did not “save any souls” that day though many hearts and minds were certainly won back to a most certain faith in God. Jesus was not speaking a revival message which would lead to thousands of baptisms at the lakeside below. There was no altar call given. What did happen was a reinstitution of “God’s plan for living that was illustrative of a people who believed in God.” It stood in stark contrast to what the Temple Leadership, including the Pharisees, presented to the people. In Matthew’s presentation of this gospel, good news broadcast, event as “breaking news” (that is what the contemporary media might call it) simplicity was the format. In some ways, we might align Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount with Solomon’s Proverbs. Both are identified as “wisdom” literature. These were words intended for those who made the decision to follow Jesus long enough to hear what He had to say in hope of experiencing what He could do for them. And we saw one of those experiences when Jesus came down the mountain and was confronted with a leprous man. He wasn’t the only person who confronted Jesus. Jew and Gentile (even a Roman centurion) were included without distinction to hear, listen, respond and receive the Word of God. “What goes up must come down!”

What went up? The prayers of the people for deliverance and salvation from Roman and Temple oppression as well as the seeming unmitigated impact of a broken world.

What came down? The answers of God to His people’s prayers: Jew and Gentile, Slave and Free, Male and Female, Young and Old, Believers and Skeptics, Rich and Poor, Book smart and Street Smart, Sick and Well (at least they would consider themselves well).

What came next? Living out the reality of righteousness as was presented by the Word of God itself– Jesus the Christ and those who would believe that He was the Healer, Messiah, King and Son of God.

It seems to me that calling this section of wisdom literature a “sermon” is a bit of a misnomer. But, that is what many have called it for nearly two thousand years, so who am I to argue. It is just a word after all and one that is grossly misunderstood after all this time. A “sermon” is accused of being a bit preachy. That, in and of itself, gives preaching a bad taste in one’s mouth. It sounds subjective authoritative as if one person is intending to inflict their will, way, thinking and intentionality on another. Nothing would be further from the truth of what was on Jesus’ mind in that moment. Instead, Jesus became a shepherd to a great flock “on that day.” I use that biblical phrase because it speaks to a time when “God will make all things new, restored, revived and above the din of evil.” Its use in that sense if apocalyptic because it projects one’s vision of today into the future of righteous justification. Just as Jesus had read the Jubilee passage from Isaiah when He visited Nazareth and was asked to present God’s Word in synagogue, so He now was expanding upon the depth, breadth, heighth and expanse of Jubilee in practical applications. The call of Jubilee in the Old Testament was a return to one’s homeland. The call of Jubilee on the mountainside was a “entering into the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in Heaven.” And we know it isn’t a sermon nor preachy because when Jesus got to a certain place on the mountain, He sat down. The sheep who had been without a shepherd followed Him to the green pastures and still waters of peace, love and hope. These were and are the very tenets of righteousness. This is something we can all learn and benefit from. So, I invite you to reflect with me on this “Sermon on the Mount.” Go up with me so that we may come down with Him and into all the world to make disciples of and in every nation in Jesus’ name. AMEN.

TODAY’S PRAYER IN LIGHT OF GOD’S WORD:

Father, You have revealed to us best in Jesus the Christ. By Him and Him alone shall we gain the eternal life and our place in eternal rest, living for You always. Show us more and by Your Holy Spirit instruct us in the way we should go, the truth we should reveal and the life we shall live with you forever. In Jesus’ name, we pray. AMEN.