“Now when 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

Imagine thousands of people following Jesus because he’s this great healer, raising the dead, curing the sick, and doing all kinds of miracles. The people, of course, want to hear what he’s going to say. So, he’s standing at the bottom of this hill and thousands of people sit on the mount above so they can all hear him. It’s a warm day and the Sea of Galilee is behind him.

Jesus gives them the most wonderful gift that has ever been given to humanity. His gift is his thesis about what it’s like to live in the kingdom of God. In what we call the Sermon on the Mount, he tells them that, if they obey these words, they are like a man or woman whose life is built on a rock-hard foundation. But, if they don’t obey these words, then they become like one who builds his or her house on sand.

Jesus, in this one sermon, gave the thousands then, and the billions who have since been born, the most wonderful gift ever given.

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for the most wonderful gift. Your word is in my heart and guides me daily. Help me to share that gift with all I meet. Amen.

Reflection: How have you creatively shared God’s word with others?