Matthew 5: 1-2
“Now when Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. He opened His mouth and began to teach them saying…”
“Look Up” is imprinted on a set of mugs my husband and I own. When sipping on our morning cuppas, those words offer a daily reminder to keep our eyes focused on Jesus, who sits in His rightful place with the Father. I trust you will see more of the relevance of Jesus’ place, or position, as we begin this devotional series on the Beatitudes, entitled “Blessed Are We.”
Coming at the beginning of Jesus’ very first sermon, the Sermon on the Mount, we read one of the most beloved passages from the New Testament, the Beatitudes, which are found in chapters 5-7 of the Gospel of Matthew. Some Bible translations have entitled these three chapters as a “Picture of Kingdom Life.” This will take on greater meaning when we understand the theme of the sermon, and what preceded this momentous event.
The opening phrase that Jesus used to begin each verse reads, “Blessed are.” He purposely used the phrase in the present tense, not that we shall be blessed or were blessed, rather, we are blessed from the moment we place our faith in Him until our last breath. He never withdraws His blessed grace!
Earlier in his gospel, Matthew wrote the account of John the Baptist preparing the way for Jesus’ arrival by preaching the need for all to come to repentance, “for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” Jesus has chosen this same theme when He opens His mouth to preach. But, before He begins, we see a picture of Jesus, going up to the mountain and sitting down. What beautiful imagery this offers, of Christ taking His rightful place, high and lifted up, as God Himself in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ. On another note, further along in the Gospel of Matthew are additional passages where Jesus chooses a mountain to speak to His disciples:
• The Transfiguration took place on a mountaintop (Matt.17)
• The Olivet Discourse was delivered on a mountaintop (Matt.24)
• The Great Commission was given on a mountaintop. (Matt.28)
Let’s look further at the significance of the mountain imagery…an amazing account comes from Exodus, 19-20. This was the last time in scripture that we see God Himself speaking to His people. With fire and smoke, thunder and lightning, through a thick cloud, and accompanied by a loud trumpet sound, the people were warned not to get too close or look upon Him, lest they die. God then came down from the mountain to give the people The Law.
Fast-forward to the New Testament, in Matthew 5:1, when Jesus has chosen a particular occasion and a particular audience to deliver His first sermon. His primary audience is His Disciples who have front-row seats, so to speak. A crowd has also gathered with eager anticipation: a multitude of folks who were curious, or had heard of Him, or had seen the signs, wonders and miracles of Jesus. The remainder of the group is predominantly Jews and teachers of the Law.
And now the moment has come.
As the crowd looks up, they see God in the person of His Son, Jesus, go UP to the mountaintop—no warnings, no fear of death amongst the crowd, no drama, little fanfare—and then He sits down to speak.
I trust you will join me over the next few days to hear what Jesus spoke to the crowd and is still speaking to our hearts today. Let us “look up!”
Gracious Lord, we look up today! You are high and lifted up, the King of the universe, and still, Lord Jesus, we need not fear or cower before You for You call us “blessed.” May we grasp how very much You love us and long to spend time with us and teach us. May we seek to do that each day and receive the blessings You have for us. In Your blessed name we pray. Amen.
~ painting by Jen Norton
