And seeing the multitudes, He went up into a mountain; and when He was set, His disciples came unto Him. Matthew 5:1
Jesus had already been preaching and healing people during the early days of His ministry. He had been preaching the Gospel and drawing large crowds. But in today’s text, He changes his approach and leaves the crowds behind. His attention is focused on His disciples and His words are directed, not to the lost sheep, but to His own servants. Instead of standing and publicly proclaiming the Glad Tidings, He sits and gathers his small audience in an intimate circle around Him. He still uses this approach today to teach us.
Do you ever wonder why, sometimes, there are so few at a Bible reading or a ministry meeting? Just the faithful few show up, and the discussion or the presentation becomes very intimate and personal. Wouldn’t it be better if large crowds were on hand? Not necessarily. Always ready to preach to the multitudes and on the crowded hillsides, Jesus was also frequently found with small numbers about Him. It was in those little circles that He spoke many of the precious truths that are such a comfort and inspiration to us today. To a few disciples, He revealed His purpose and mission to die on the cross. To only a handful, He identified Himself as the Good Shepherd, the Door, and the Way. The Last Supper was not a public gathering, nor was His post-resurrection appearance in the upper room or the fish-and-bread breakfast by the seaside. The Lord Jesus seemed to place a premium on small groups when it came to unfolding His greatest truths. We should not despise small gatherings, either.
Have you ever tried to picture the scene as Jesus delivered His famous Sermon on the Mount? I have always imagined it as a rocky place, with Jesus seated on a large central stone, and the disciples gathered on other nearby stones, or sitting on the grass at His feet. I can see them listening intently, as Jesus delivers the first ‘ministry meeting’ sermon in our Bible, the first message primarily for believers and followers. It was not His last message. In fact, His messages continue to be expounded by godly men today.
Does Jesus have a message for us today? We know He does. Are we prepared to gather in small groups around His Word, and let Him teach us? -Jim MacIntosh