The Sermon on a Level Place
March/05/2008 Filed in: Daily Walk
Series
• New
Testament Reading: Luke 6:1-49
• Old Testament Passage: Isaiah 65:13-14
• Points to Ponder
“The Sermon on a Level Place”
This isn’t Luke’s account of the Sermon on the Mount, because it’s not the same scenario. Jesus
came down from a mountainside after choosing his apostles to a level place where a large number of
his disciple and a great number of others from many regions gathered. When he saw them he began
to teach his disciples.
Certainly some of this is quite similar, if not identical, to what Jesus taught his disciples on the
mountainside, but there are also some differences. Is there a problem with Jesus teaching his
disciples similar or even identical things on several occasions? Don’t we need constant reminders
regarding the truth and our need to put it into practice? How many times have you read or been
taught truths such as: “love your enemies”, “do to others what you would have them do to you”,
“forgive and you will be forgiven” and “why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord?’”. Can we hear these truths
too often when everything in our society teaches us the opposite and we are constantly tempted
with seeking first our own interests?
Jesus used spaced repetition to teach his disciples about God and his will for their lives. I think one
of the greatest challenges facing 21st century Christians who live in 1st world countries is this: the
media has developed within us an insatiable need for something new and more creative all the time.
We are so easily bored and distracted and want our evangelists and elders and teachers to entertain
us. But God’s truths don’t change and won’t. And while I’m not taking away the responsibility for
those who teach us to be creative and interesting in their presentations, the burden to be interested
and enthusiastic, when it comes to the word of God, lies with the hearer.
• Questions to Consider: How eagerly and intensely do you really listen to those who strive to
teach you the word of God? Do you arrive early? Do you bring your Bible and notepad (or
notebook)? Do you sit up, pay attention, focus and learn? Or do you expect and demand that
the brothers and sisters must get your attention and keep you focused?
• Old Testament Passage: Isaiah 65:13-14
• Points to Ponder
“The Sermon on a Level Place”
This isn’t Luke’s account of the Sermon on the Mount, because it’s not the same scenario. Jesus
came down from a mountainside after choosing his apostles to a level place where a large number of
his disciple and a great number of others from many regions gathered. When he saw them he began
to teach his disciples.
Certainly some of this is quite similar, if not identical, to what Jesus taught his disciples on the
mountainside, but there are also some differences. Is there a problem with Jesus teaching his
disciples similar or even identical things on several occasions? Don’t we need constant reminders
regarding the truth and our need to put it into practice? How many times have you read or been
taught truths such as: “love your enemies”, “do to others what you would have them do to you”,
“forgive and you will be forgiven” and “why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord?’”. Can we hear these truths
too often when everything in our society teaches us the opposite and we are constantly tempted
with seeking first our own interests?
Jesus used spaced repetition to teach his disciples about God and his will for their lives. I think one
of the greatest challenges facing 21st century Christians who live in 1st world countries is this: the
media has developed within us an insatiable need for something new and more creative all the time.
We are so easily bored and distracted and want our evangelists and elders and teachers to entertain
us. But God’s truths don’t change and won’t. And while I’m not taking away the responsibility for
those who teach us to be creative and interesting in their presentations, the burden to be interested
and enthusiastic, when it comes to the word of God, lies with the hearer.
• Questions to Consider: How eagerly and intensely do you really listen to those who strive to
teach you the word of God? Do you arrive early? Do you bring your Bible and notepad (or
notebook)? Do you sit up, pay attention, focus and learn? Or do you expect and demand that
the brothers and sisters must get your attention and keep you focused?