Jesus Teaches From On the Mount By the Sea

By Mary Vee
Matthew 5, Luke 6

From Matthew's Journal 

Photo by Mary Vee. View down to the Sea of Galilee from
the Mountain where it is believed Jesus was at this time.
Capernaum is down and to the left by the shore.

My name is Matthew. I am a disciple of Jesus. I am here with other disciples, so they may add something to today's post. 

We are sitting on the side of a mountain bordering the Sea of Galilee, and there is a large number of people here with us, some have traveled a long ways to hear Jesus speak.

Jesus has been speaking most of the morning. You may know this talk as the Sermon on the Mount. Posts telling what he said already are below.  Just scroll down.

A balmy breeze blew across the crowd. The fresh air perked up everyone, and they sat straighter listening to Jesus speak. One child off to the side pushed another. The second child pushed the first one back.

Jesus pushed strands of hair away from his face and said, "You've heard these words, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say, Don't resist an evil person. If someone hits you on the right cheek, turn the other cheek. If someone wants to sue you and take the clothes off of your back, let him have your coat too. 

"If a soldier forces you to go one mile, go two miles with him. Give to the one who asks and don't turn the one who wants to borrow away from you. What I am saying is to do to others what you would like them to do for you.

"Now I will talk about our enemies. You have heard these words, 'Love your neighbor and hate you enemy.' But I say, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. This is what your Father in Heaven has done and expects of you.

"God cause his sun to rise on evil and good, He sends rain on the righteous and unrighteous. It really isn't difficult to love someone who loves you. Don't the tax collectors do the same? You welcome your brothers into your home, how is that different from those who worship idols? Or if you lend money to someone whom you know will pay you back, how is that different from anyone else who expects to be repaid?

"I say, love your enemies, do good to them. Lend to them without expecting anything back. Then you will receive a great reward, and you will be call the sons of the Most High, because God is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."

This teaching of Jesus was completely different from what we've heard in the past. He isn't asking us to rise up and fight the Roman rule. Instead He speaks of respect. The people sitting around me were very intrigued.

Author's note, this section is from the Sermon on the Mount. Come back to read the next story.

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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.