The King Teaches

Read Matthew 5-7, Luke 6
 
Matthew 5:1-2 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.
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Matthew 7:28-8:1 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 for he taught with real authority – quite unlike their teachers of religious law. 8:1 Large crowds followed Jesus as he came down the mountainside.
 
MATTHEW 5-7 and Luke 6 are two different reports of what is known as the “Sermon on the Mount”. As Jesus ministered salvation’s joy in Capernaum and Bethsaida along the Sea of Galilee, his life-changing words and miracles drew large crowds. For more room to preach and teach, Jesus went to a nearby mount – a hill – to make room for a large crowd. Don’t miss this. Here is the Word of God teaching. He is not suggesting. He does not leave the interpretation of Scripture open to, “What do you think it means for you?” The Lawgiver, Resurrection, Savior and Good Shepherd is telling his people – all of us -  what we need to know. The people there are called his disciples because they have come to learn and to live into Jesus’ words. These chapters mark a broad range of lessons. Immediately we learn the Creator’s view is much different than we his creation. With the blessing promises as the Beatitudes, the comfort of, “Do not worry.” the rebuke to cut away sin and the foundation of God’s Word, Jesus unveils the Kingdom of God.  
   Then look at the last verses of the sermon that really concludes in Matthew 8:1. What did the people do? They followed Jesus as he came down the mountainside. Do you think they followed him to see what he would personally do for their own lives? Perhaps. Or did they follow him to become more faithful kingdom citizens? Were lives changed to be less of the world and more of God? Did they understand how to pray, “Our Father in heaven.” Did they learn about confession and forgiveness? Were they ready to be salt and light into the world?
   How about you? When you depart from the Bible’s teachings, what do you do? With humble hearts, eager minds and determined will, we need to be ready to hear Bible teaching, to savor Bible reading, to fervently pray and to lovingly serve for God. These works of righteous living are the lessons Jesus taught on the mount, at the seashore and along Israel’s roads.
   The King has taught the truth. Are you eager to be a more faithful kingdom citizen?