One of the most fascinating things about my trip to Israel was to put ‘a name to a face’. What I thought to be mountains were in fact big hills, and what I pictured to be sea were actual big lakes.
My favorite spot was the Mount of Beatitudes. Nothing glamourous. No mounted statues to the One, or to the Twelve. Not even a gift shop. A plain farmer’s hill, known to us as the ‘mountainside’ where Jesus sat down to teach the crowds.
Oh, how I wish I were present to witness to the most eloquent, love-filled, hope-giving sermon delivered from the mouth of the author of Salvation recorded in Matthew 5-7.
In order to carefully unpack the load of truth from Jesus’ sermon, I glanced at the passages around to grasp the context. And that’s where I got stuck, in the context of Jesus’ ministry.
Who did Jesus acquaint with?
Matthew chapter 4 gives insight on the geographic background he ministered to. Although perceived as controversial, Jesus attracted crowds. Although he paid no ads to spread the news, he was number one on all the sites.
“News about him spread all over Syria … Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis [ten cities], Jerusalem [the religious hub], Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.” Matthew 4: 24a-25
* Curious enough is that Samaria is sandwiched right between Galilee and Judea. Yet Samaria is not even mentioned here. The once glamorous city hosting kings (referred to in the O.T. 106 times) is considered as the ‘most’ sinful among sinners (mentioned in the N.T. only 11 times). Jesus in his grace chose to put it back on the map to the point of including it in the great commission “… and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1: 8b
Matthew chapter 8 sheds light on the status of the men and women that Jesus gave hope to.
The outcasts need Jesus. The untouchable. The physically challenged. The looked down upon. The lepers.
“When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. A man with leprosy came and knelt before him …” Matthew 8: 1, 2
* The lepers could only mingle with the lepers. They were confined to certain remote places removed from culture.
The powerful need Jesus. The intimidating. The authorities. The influential. Those with means.
“When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help.” Matthew 8: 5
* The centurion was a commander over one hundred soldiers stationed in Capernaum to preserve peace during the Roman Empire. (Capernaum is about 10 minutes walk from the Mt. of Beatitudes).
The loved ones need Jesus. Those under our roof. Those related to us. Those that take the liberty to be too blunt at times with us.
“When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. He touched her hand and the fever left her … ” Matthew 8: 14, 15a
How did Jesus deliver his message?
By sitting.
The pharisees always stood. Stood to judge. Stood to compare. Stood to burden.
Jesus did some daring stuff! He placed Samaria back on the map. He touched the leper. He showed care for the Centurion.
Surely these are big shoes to fill. But, what a better way for Jesus to teach us than by shaping the footprints we ought to walk in.
As we go about our mere routine from coffee time till pillow time, let’s do something daring. Let’s place on the map the avoided ones. Touch the untouchable. Show care even to those over us.
The janitor needs Jesus. The smelly need Jesus. Those placed over hundreds, and thousands need Jesus.
May the Lord enable us to disrupt the self-promoting ambition, and may we ignite the Christ-promoting mission … wherever our ‘Mount of Beatitudes’ we need to sit on might be.