Matthew shared how Jesus was “baptized” and “tempted” by the “devil”, and he shared how “angels” ministered to Him afterwards. Jesus heard that John the Baptist was thrown into prison, and He left His hometown to dwell in “Capernaum” where He began His ministry. Jesus began to preach saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”, and He called Peter, Andrew, James and John to be His followers. Matthew continued to share how Jesus' fame spread throughout Galilee, and many others were gathered unto Him. In chapter five and verse one of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus began what is known as “the Sermon on the Mount” where we read:
And
seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain:
and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
The verse reads, “And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain:” Matthew began with the words, “and seeing” which means “and perceiving, noticing, discerning and discovering with His eyes and senses” “the multitudes” or “the crowds of people who were flocked together”, “he went up” which refers to “Jesus ascended and rose” “into a mountain” which means “towards a hill or lifting above the plain”. Matthew shared how Jesus noticed all the people gathering around Him and ascended to a nearby mountain.
The verse continues, “ and when he was set, his disciples came unto him.” Matthew added the words, “and when” which means “and at the time and moment” “he was set” or “Jesus was seated and settled down”, “his disciples” which means “Jesus' pupils and learners” “came unto him” or “approached and drew near to Jesus”. Jesus sat down on the mountainside, and His students gathered around Him.
When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus drew Himself away from the crowds so He could instruct His students. We can imagine how Jesus sat on the upper part of the mountain with His “disciples” surrounding Him, and the people were below them on the mountainside. Because there were great acoustics upon the mountain, the people also heard Jesus' words, (See Matthew 7:28), but His words were directed toward His “disciples”. As we consider these things, let us open our minds and hearts to hear the instructions of the Messiah Jesus Christ.
Next time Jesus “opens his mouth” and begins to “teach” the disciples, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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