Jesus’ Sermon on the Mountain
Jesus’ sermon on the mountain is one of His most carefully recorded sermons. It is the blueprint for our lives as followers of Christ.
Those following Jesus have grown in numbers by leaps and bounds. It’s not easy to fit this crowd down the streets of Capernaum. And He is not being invited to speak in the synagogues any more. Jesus chooses another place to speak to the people. More than giving men a new ‘plan’, Jesus also chooses 12 disciples to be with Him, to learn firsthand, and to train for later use in His ministry.
Let’s rejoin our story as Jesus goes for an extended time alone in prayer. Holy Spirit, lead this journey. Show me Jesus’ life in a new way. Let me see how He lived out these days. Direct my focus to what is important and show me what to take away for use in my own life.
♥ ♦ ♥
It’s been two days since Jesus stood before the people in the synagogue and challenged the leaders. He knows that He has worn out His welcome. But there is still so much work to do. It’s time for the next step. That ‘step’ takes some considerable preparation first. And that preparation involves time alone with His Abba.
Evening has fallen and the people thronging Jesus all day have returned to their homes. Jesus is having dinner at the home of Simon. Several of the disciples are in attendance as well.
“I am going up onto the mountain to pray. In the morning, I want you all to come up to me.”
“Why can’t we walk up with You in the morning?”
“Because I’m not coming down tonight. I need time alone with the Lord.”
No one argues or raises any more questions.
Once dinner is done, Jesus stands to leave. Simon’s wife hurries over to Him with a blanket.
“Take this with You. It can get very chilly on the mountain at night.”
Jesus smiles but shakes His head. I will be fine, but thank you for caring about My needs.”
With that, Jesus disappears into the night. Since it is dark and Jesus isn’t carrying a torch, no one notices Him slip from the city. He walks straight for Mount Eremos. Jesus climbs to the very top of the mountain before stopping. He stands still for a little bit and simply looks out over the land. “It’s time, Abba” He whispers.
Abba and Son spend all night deciding on the core group for Jesus. Those who will eventually be sent out to preach the good news to the nations. Who will be given power and authority to heal the sick, cast out demons, and even raise the dead. These men will be precious to Jesus. And their lives will never be the same again.
“I like Simon. He says what he thinks” Jesus comments.
“Sometimes he is a little too free with his opinion” answers the Father.
“But he has a precious heart.”
“He does… But You know what is going to happen one day.”
“I do. It will make him stronger.”
“I wish We didn’t have to include the traitor” Jesus says with a downcast face.
“It’s the only way for the plan to work. As hard as it is, he HAS to have access.”
“I know. I feel for him. What he will go through afterwards. I just wish… Never mind. Put his name down as well” Jesus concedes.
As the night wears on, the topic changes to the sermon that is on the horizon.
“Take Your time and lay it ALL out for them. They are going to need this to look back on, when the time comes for You to leave them.”
Morning dawns and Jesus’ men are mounting the hill in search of Him. There is a LARGE group hot on their heels. Jesus looks down and sees them coming. “Abba, hold up the crowd so Our men can approach alone.”
The disciples spot Jesus at the top of the mountain and continue climbing until they reach Him. It’s not a steep climb but it does leave Matthew breathing hard. He is not used to physical exertion.
There are around 50 men who have been following Jesus faithfully. Once they all reach the summit, Jesus has them sit down.
“I have been in prayer all night with the Lord. I need to choose a core group who will travel with me to all locations, be responsible for helping with whatever I need, and eventually be sent out to minister to others in the region. I have though long and hard over this decision.”
Jesus looks out over all the expectant faces. He knows that this is going to be hard for some of them, but it has to be this way.
“Those whose names I don’t call are in NO way unappreciated or unwanted. I simply had to make a choice. When I call your name, come and stand beside me.”
Jesus begins naming off His chosen twelve. “I will begin with the pairs of brothers. Simon and Andrew, James and John, and Philip and Nathaniel.”
Jesus waits while all six rise and come to stand beside Him.
“Next is Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot.”
The remaining six men come to stand beside Jesus as well. After they are all together, Jesus turns to them and prays for them. “Lord God, Abba. I commit these men into Your hands. You have given them to Me as My helpers. You drew them to Yourself and provided them to Me to teach. Allow then to grasp the things You have for them. Strengthen them for the days ahead. Build a brotherhood that will stand the test of time. Bless them Abba.”
Jesus turns and faces the rest of the men sitting near Him. “Lord God, Abba. Bless those who bless Me. Give them strength and understanding as well. Strengthen them for Your work.”
After Jesus blesses all of the faithful men, He leads them back down the mountain. He goes only partway. Once He locates a level place, He motions for the crowd waiting at the base of the mountain to join Him. The whole mountainside is filled with people, waiting to hear from Jesus.
Everyone settles in, and Jesus begins teaching them. He addresses His new group of disciples directly first, but His words are for everyone on the mountainside.
“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).
Jesus raises His head and looks out over the crowd.
“But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets” (Luke 6:24-26).
Jesus lets that settle for just a moment before going on. There is much He will share this day with the people. He prays that they listen and take His message to heart.
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:13-16).
Jesus looks out over the crowd, judging their faces. He can see who is struggling with this and who is drinking it in. “They won’t all understand, Abba” He says in His Spirit.
“I know, but tell them anyway” replies the Father.
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:17-20).
Jesus can feel the anger of the Pharisees from where He stands. They consider themselves THE most righteous of all men. God, and His Son, see their hypocrisy. Jesus continues on.
“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
“Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny” (Matthew 5:21-26).
Jesus can see some of the people squirming where they sit. “This is hitting home, Abba.”
“It is. Keep going!”
Jesus looks over the crowd, knowing this next portion will really hurt.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell” (Matthew 5:27-30).
Squirming is happening across the group. Some more than others. Jesus wonders how many of those ‘not squirming’ are fooling themselves or pretending that God is blind to their actions. “That is for You to deal with, Abba. It’s not Mine; at least not now.”
“It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery” (Matthew 5:31-32).
“You know that one is going to come up again” Jesus tells God.
“I do. And We will deal with it again, when it does.”
“Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one” (Matthew 5:33-37).
MANY brows wrinkle in confusion over this one. “Doesn’t God want us to make vows? How do we conduct business without promises?”
Jesus smiles. He knows what they are thinking. “It’s going to take time for this one to sink in” He says to the Father.
“Very true!”
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you” (Matthew 38-42).
“But to you who are listening I say: 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).
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:31-36).
The faces now register shock! “He wants us to do WHAT?”
Jesus feels their push back. “Just what We expected.”
“It is. But they will learn.”
“Yes. They will.”
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6:1-4).
This is another section of Jesus’ words that rankle the Pharisees. Jesus sees them shifting their feet. Some are clenching their hands and their faces are growing red. If not for the crowd, they would pick up stones and hurl them at Jesus right now.
Jesus wants to smile at the Pharisees discomfort, but He maintains a steady face. Eyes full of compassion and voice filled with authority. Jesus is coming to a very important part. The part about relationship with God. Prayer.
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him” (Matthew 6:5-8).
“This, then, is how you should pray:”
Jesus closes His eyes and turns His heart towards Heaven. This isn’t just words to Him. It is relationship and He will teach by example in this moment.
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into Temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:9-13).
Jesus opens His eyes and focuses intently on the crowd.
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:14-15).
Jesus looks out at the Pharisees again. He knows that they are not going to like this section either. He is calling them out again.
“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6:16-18).
“This will hit all of them Abba.”
“You said it Son!”
“Now will they understand it?”
“Only a few.”
“I know that too. But I have to say it.”
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:19-25).
Jesus takes a deep breath. THIS part is something that He knows people will struggle with throughout the ages.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?”
Jesus points towards the heavens.
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:25-34).
“Do you think the twelve got that Abba?”
“Not yet. But they will. A little at a time!”
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces” (Matthew 7:1-6).
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:37-38).
“Another very HARD lesson” Jesus says to the Father.
“Almost too hard. But they WILL learn” reassures the Father.
Jesus looks out at the crowd pleadingly.
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:7-8).
Jesus spreads His hands wide.
“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:9-12).
Jesus points towards Heaven again.
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).
Jesus looks over the crowd again. His face is stern. His warning critical.
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them” (Matthew 7:15-20).
“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of” (Luke 6:43-45).
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 7:21-23).
Jesus looks out at the crowd pleadingly again. “They have to hear Me Abba” He cries to His Father.
“In time, Son. In time.”
“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete” (Luke 6:46-49).
Jesus drops His hands and then sits down on a stone. He is tired. He has just poured His heart out to the people. They have patiently listened. But He can see shuffling in the crowd. They want His healing touch too.
“Abba, give Me strength” Jesus prays. He stands up and walks towards the crowd. People come to him the rest of the day, asking for His touch; even to bless their children. Jesus meets every need before descending the mountain and going home.
This night Jesus sleeps. And He dreams of the day when ALL men will listen to the words He spoke and obey them.
(to be continued)
I know I struggle with some of these topics Jesus spoke on. Even though I try my HARDEST not to judge, I still find myself rolling my inward eyes at others; even some in my own family. “Don’t they get it?” “Here they go again!” And the list goes on. I have a feeling that this will be something I wrestle with my whole life. I PRAY that each ‘trip to the woodshed’ for correction over this will last longer and dig deeper, bearing better fruit when I emerge.
I know this was long. I didn’t want to miss any of what Jesus taught that day. It was important for our foundation. It is the beginning of our relationship.
Father God, thank You for continuing to work on my ‘trouble spots’. Help me continue to grow every day. To become more and more like Jesus every day. I KNOW I have a LONG way to go before I am finished with my ‘growing’, but I trust You to complete the work You began in me so long ago.
I wonder if I would have sat still long enough to take it all in that day on the hill. Sometimes I get ‘itchy feet’ and want to wander off. Thanks for bringing me back each time.
