3 Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. 4 The Jewish Passover Feast was near.
At first blush, Jesus sitting down on a mountainside with His disciples in the wake of all the herding, hurting humanity in their presence appears a bit merciless and callous. This is not the only time in Scripture we discover the same situation. Prior to the delivery of the Sermon on the Mount we find Jesus doing likewise - all the while followed by a vast mayhem of people suffering with every kind of disease and sickness. The gospel of Matthew tells us:
24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them. 25 Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him. Matt 4:24-25 (NIV)
1 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, Matt 5:1-2 (NIV)
In that day and age it was customary for a Rabbi to sit and teach his disciples. Jesus was constantly seeking opportunities to pour into His guys. Aware that He would not always physically be with them as they carried out their ministries, He begins to show them how to fill their cups. One simply has nothing to give when the pitcher is empty. Jesus’ actions demonstrate to the modern day disciple our first priority as well. We must fill our cups with the Living Water before we find ourselves useful to anyone else or even to ourselves for that matter. This should certainly be a red flag to us as we are to make the most of every opportunity with those whom we lead in our spheres of influence. Perhaps you are thinking that you do not lead anyone and I would simply have to disagree. As everyone knows, all it takes to be a leader is to have someone follow. Unless we live on an island with no human contact – and even then we are leading ourselves – we lead. We are always leading whether we acknowledge it or not – we lead through our words, our actions, and our example – to everyone around us. A single life leaves a huge ripple effect for good or evil.
“A holy life will produce the deepest impression. Lighthouses blow no horns; they only shine.” D. L. Moody
That is why Scripture states we are held accountable not only for our actions but also for our words. Jesus tells us in the gospel of Matthew:
37 " For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." Matt 12:37 (NIV)
Yet the question still remains. Why would Jesus choose these times to teach when so much need was apparent? Couldn’t He have just healed everyone and then discussed it with His boys? Didn’t He see all the hurt before Him? I am reminded of His Words when He was anointed at Bethany:
11 The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. Matt 26:11 (NIV)
I believe He was about to teach His guys the basic Truth that nothing could be accomplished apart from Him and dwelling in Him always begins by sitting at His feet.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 (NIV)
“God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called.” Anonymous
37 On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." John 7:37-38 (NIV)
Paul gives us the following command in Romans:
2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 (NIV)
It is only through being renewed in our minds and being strengthened with His power that we find ourselves properly equipped to handle the hurting. Most of us have a tendency to forge ahead on a sermon we heard two weeks prior and a half night’s sleep of strength – oh we make a great impression alright – oftentimes the one we set out to minister to ends up ministering to us! Jesus took His own requirements to heart as His feet walked the dust of this earth. We find His example set forth for us in Mark:
35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35 (NIV)
If this was the Master’s practice, how much more should it be for us!