A Mountain of Light

Matthew 5 begins the section of scripture that has come to be known as “The Sermon on the Mount.” I have been working on memorizing this great passage of the Bible. It is very challenging to our contemporary mindset. I urge you to become familiar with it and allow the Holy Spirit to counsel you with regard to living Kingdom values in this present age.

The introduction to this great sermon by Jesus says, “When he [Jesus] saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them” (Matthew 5.1-2).

While much of Jesus’ ministry was spent with great crowds of people, many times we see him getting away from the crowds. He did so to fast and focus himself on his mission. He left the crowds behind to pray. He did it sometimes to just spend some restful time with his apostles. On this occasion, Jesus leaves the crowds behind to spend time with those called his disciples. We are not to think that the term “disciples” means the twelve who were designated as apostles. Instead it should be understood as those who had chosen to become followers of Jesus. They needed more understanding of what that choice meant, how to live it out.

Jesus’ intention was to teach them the values of the Kingdom of Heaven. The disciples followed him up on the mountain. The story doesn’t indicate at all that Jesus instructed or recommended that they come. It does not even say that he invited them. They chose to follow Jesus to be with him and to get away from the crowds themselves. Now, it is apparent that the crowds did find them, but by then the disciples were completely engulfed by his teaching and captivated by his presence.

The question that occurs to me is this: “Do I follow Jesus like that?” A good way for me to do that (a good way for you to do that) is to spend time in the morning being with Jesus. Read his Word. Listen for his still small voice. Memorize the scriptures. Make it a point to take one thing every day from every chapter you read. Write it down.

Let the eternal God share with you the values of the Kingdom. Follow Jesus up the mountain. The things of life will crowd in on you soon enough. When they do, you can already be “lost in his love” and set apart (sanctified) by his truth. Then, and only then, can you shine the light of the Kingdom into the darkness. He alone is the True Light that gives light to every man.