September 19 A Crowd on the Mountain

Luke 6:17-19 He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coast of Tyre and Sidon, 18 who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by evil spirits were cured, 19 and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all.
 
THIS account of Jesus’ teaching is generally considered to be the same sermon Matthew records as the “Sermon on the Mount”. Through these next several lessons, you’ll see the ways Dr. Luke teaches us of Jesus’ famous sermon in similar fashion to the apostle Matthew’s teaching.
   But first, let’s note a difference that has caused some confusion. Luke tells us Jesus “stood on a level place”. This could make us think he is on a flat plain, not on a mountain. Notice, though, that Jesus is on a “level place” and not on a flat plain. We can easily understand this “mountain-flat place” difference as we have just seen how Jesus went up on a mountain to pray. He then came from his solitary place to choose 12 apostles. Then he began to speak to them and many disciples (people learning from Jesus) around him in a convenient level place for a large crowd.
   Remember, too, that these Galilean mountains are more as high rolling hills with plateaus and valleys. When we say we go to the mountains on vacation, sometimes we go to such places as the Ozarks or Appalachian Mountains. But those tree-laden, rolling mountains with level pastures and high valleys are much different than the peaked and much taller Rocky Mountains.
   This is probably too long of an explanation, but I believe it is essential to understand the Bible is written by Holy Spirit-inspired men. They each conveyed their message in the language that fit their personal experiences. Let’s not ever negate the Bible with such debates as “Sermon on the Mount” or “Sermon on the Plain”? It is a foolish waste of time.
   Let’s focus, instead, on God’s power here at work. Wow! This is a incredible turnout to hear the Savior’s sermon. Rejoice and be glad that “a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coast of Tyre and Sidon, 18 who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases.” These disciples came from foreign countries and far away from within Judea to walk to Capernaum to hear the Lord.
   I wonder. Are we so eager to hear and experience his everlasting truth?
 
Prayer: Lord, I want to hear your teaching. Amen.