Crowds Astonished-Sermon on the Mount

By Mary Vee
Matthew 7 and 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 one or more 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 day. You may know this talk as the Sermon on the Mount. The previous posts telling what he said already are below this one.  Just scroll down.

I am a witness and am here to tell you what Jesus said next on this day. A few moments ago, He spoke about our Father in Heaven who deeply cares for us. He then said there will be those who say they believe and obey in the living God, but they are liars.

Jesus said, "Then there are those who truly listen to my words. Those who live according to my teachings. Those who do are like the wise man who builds his house on a rock, a firm foundation. When a storm comes and the winds whip at the house and the rains pound down hard, the house stands strong because it was build on a rock.

"Those who say they are listening and don't prove they are willing to change and follow my instructions are like fool who builds his house on the sand. When a storm comes to this house, you know what would happen. The rains fall, soaking the sandy foundation away, and rise, flooding the house. The winds blow and the house collapses with a mighty crash."

And with those words, Jesus finished his message.

The people sat amazed. None of them stood. It was like they were replaying the words in their minds. 

The other disciples of Jesus and I saw the authority in His words. Everything Jesus said could be trusted and needed to be lived out. The crowds showed they saw it too. The difference between hearing Jesus speak and a Jewish rabbi, pharisee, or sadducee speak is Jesus taught in His own name, with His own authority.

Truly insightful. Hearing Jesus speak was like stepping on solid ground without any worry about falling.


The crowds eventually left. The only conversation I heard were words repeating what Jesus said. 

This was a day to remember.

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.