It is All in the Details

      I have been reading through the gospel of Matthew lately.  From what I have studied,  Matthew's account of the Christ is the gospel that was written with the Jewish person in mind.  This apostle documents the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies through the life of Christ.  I have only gotten through the first few chapters, but already I noticed several references to Old Testament prophecies. 
      I love reading through God's word!   I learn something new or look at some passage with a different perspective every time I read from its pages.  The story of Jesus is a beautiful story indeed.  It's all in the details, or so I've heard.  The Bible is full of specific details that enrich the beauty of the scriptures and enliven its stories. 
      One detail I re-discovered while reading through Matthew concerns the Sermon on the Mount given in chapters 5 through 7.   Chapter 4 ends by telling the reader:
"And there followed Him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan."  
       Then chapter 5 begins by saying, "And seeing the multitudes, He went up into a mountain: and when He was set, His disciples came unto Him:"  When I remember the beautiful words from the Sermon on the Mount, I often make the mistake of envisioning the multitudes that have followed Jesus.  But that is not what verse 1 of chapter 5 tells us.  It was the disciples who came to Jesus on the  mountain.  This great sermon was for those who were loyal believers and followers. 
      This detail is important to remember.  It gives a whole new outlook to the bulk of the Sermon.  It makes more sense when Jesus says "You are the salt of the earth" and "You are the light of the world."  Maybe I am the only one that forgets the point that Christ is speaking only to those who are following Him.  However, it is easy to understand why Jesus tells His followers they are lights.  They will be the ones to share His teachings after He is gone.  While He is still with them, they will learn to practice these principles just as Christ does.
      Looking at the sermon from this standpoint, we can understand Jesus wanted His followers to stand out -- to be different.  They would not be able to spread the news of the gospel by being the same as the world around them.  Even from the very beginning of His ministry, Jesus is preparing His disciples.  He wants them to be ready when the time comes - after His crucifixion, resurrection and ascension -- after the church is established.  He wants them to be ready to teach the whole world about Him.  He begins by telling them what kind of life He wants them to life and how different He wants them to be. 
      Taking all this into consideration gives me a new appreciation for the Sermon on the Mount.  I understand the deep love Christ had for His disciples.  It was important to Him that they stand out from the world.  He wanted them to be lights.  In a world of darkness lights will draw attention.  As workers of light, the disciples will be able to bring others to Jesus and God will be glorified. 
      We see from reading any of the gospels that was all Jesus ever wanted.  He wanted to do the will of the Father so that the Father would be glorified.  He came to die for the sins of the world because He loved us all and wanted us all to be able to glorify God on earth so that we would be glorified with Him in heaven.  It was the business of Christ to be glorify the Father.  He knew He would not always be here to do that.  So He tried from the very beginning of His ministry to teach His followers to glorify the Father too.
      The Sermon on the Mount has been recorded in God's word so that anyone who chooses to can read it.  But even today, when we read the words of our Lord, He is not speaking to the multitudes of the world.  That sermon is not for all of them.  Even now, it is for His followers.  Be different -- follow Me -- do good works -- glorify my Father.   Be those lights in the world. 
      Here is another detail to think about -- the disciples came to Jesus.  Today even though these words are there for anyone to read, it will not be read by the multitudes.  It will be read, remembered and practiced only by those who come to Him.  Get it?  Any of us can read it; but not many will.  Just like that great sermon was only heard by those who came to Jesus on the mountain, it will only be heard today by those who choose to come to Christ .. and truly follow and obey.
      It really is all in the details.  The detail that cannot be left out is our obedience.  Only through that obedience can we really say we are different.  Only then can we really glorify the Father in heaven.

Christ above all things,
Robin