The Greatest Sermon

17 After coming down with them, he stood on a level place with a large crowd of his disciples and a great number of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon. 18 They came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those tormented by unclean spirits were made well. 19 The whole crowd was trying to touch him, because power was coming out from him and healing them all. (Lk6.17-19) When he saw the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began to teach them, saying: 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the humble, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. 11 “You are blessed when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of me. 12 Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Mt5.1-12) 24 But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your comfort. 25 Woe to you who are now full, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who are now laughing, for you will mourn and weep. 26 Woe to you when all people speak well of you, for this is the way their ancestors used to treat the false prophets. (Lk6.24-26)

- This begins what is generally called The Sermon on the Mount

- Jesus goes up on the mountain (more like what Floridians think of as a mountain up here it would be a large hill]). Two purposes: 1. It would allow Jesus’ voice to be heard better from above than directly in front of the people (why do you think we put speakers on platforms) 2. It also connects Moses to Jesus - Moses went up on the mountain to receive God’s word for His people, Jesus goes up on the mountain AS the WORD and speaks directly to His people

- Jesus “sat down” which is what the Rabi would do when they were ready to teach…when He sat His disciples came to Him to be taught

- When Jesus taught, we often think He was teaching something new. To the people of His day it seemed new but only because those who were supposed to be teaching had perverted the original message. Jesus taught the TRUE intent or legitimate interpretation of scripture

1. Jesus’ teaching turned common belief upside down

- The common teaching was - you were blessed by God if you had wealth, health and happiness - if you were sick or suffered great loss the thought was that God was judging you by causing your suffering so you must have done something wrong

2. Jesus’ teaching takes the focus off self and points to God

- Almost each of the “blessed” statements require Someone greater than our self to accomplish

3. Jesus’ teaching sets up future over present

- Jesus is encouraging His disciples to remember His words because of what they will endure for His name

- He is also pointing to the final future for those who follow Him (inherit the earth, be called Sons of God, shall see God, filled, Kingdom of heaven, etc)