Prelude to the Beatitudes

17Then Jesus came down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of His disciples was there, along with a great number of people from all over Judea, Jerusalem, and the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon. 18They had come to hear Him and to be healed of their diseases, and those troubled by unclean spirits were healed. 19The entire crowd was trying to touch Him, because power was coming from Him and healing them all.

Thoughts: The crowds were coming to hear Jesus and also be helped by Jesus.  This is important.  He was not just another great teacher, professor, or rabbi- He taught with power.  He not only taught, he cared for those who were in pain or hurting.        
    The sermon on the mount was preached to not just disciples, but to crowds.  In the crowds were people from Judea to the south and the gentiles of Tyre and Sidon to the north.  The good news was to all people.  No one was excluded- whosoever wanted to come could come.  The Gospel is for all the world.  Whosoever will may come.  We should invite others to come as well.
     The sermon on the mount was preached by Jesus from the lake facing toward the mountain.  The Sea of Galilee provided many natural amphitheaters.  Jesus was conscious of using the resources of his day to reach people.  We should use the technology available to us so that people can hear and respond to the good news of Christ.  

Prayer: Lord, thank you that you care for us and call us to invite whosoever will to come to you.  

The Value of Small Groups

12In those days, Jesus went out to the mountain to pray, and He spent the night in prayer to God.13When daylight came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also designated as apostles: 14Simon, whom He named Peter, and his brother Andrew, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, 15Matthew and Thomas, James son of Alphaeus and Simon called the Zealot,16Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. (Luke 6:12-16)

Thoughts: Jesus built his first church around a small group of twelve (one apostle symbolically for each tribe of the Old Testament).  The purpose of this was not merely to teach content but to exemplify lifestyle and leadership.  The Presbyterian church is built around this concept too- we have elders ("presbyters" in Greek) who govern the church.  It is not one person making all the decisions nor is one person pulling the full load.  John Calvin in the Reformation purposefully went back to this- in recognition of the magnitude of the abuse of power in the papacy of his time. 
     At Lake Murray Presbyterian we have FEAST (Fellowship Eating and Sharing Together) Groups starting up this spring.  Don't forget our many PW Circles, Men's group, Bible studies and Sunday School classes (not to mention Youth and WOW groups).  In the fall we are implementing Missional Communities (similar to Parish groups that we have had in the distant past, but with a purpose and mission).   I am particularly excited about the Missional Community Groups starting up. 
     It is also noteworthy that in this passage Jesus chose Judas.  There is no such thing as a perfect small group.  There seems to be always somebody who throws things off.  Jesus knew this but he still chose his group- risking even betrayal to fulfill His purpose.
    It is interesting that the largest church in the world in Seol, South Korea (Full Gospel Church) has over 500,000 members- all built on the idea of small groups.  They purposefully grow their small groups- and when they reach 12 they automatically and purposefully split into two groups of six and start growing again.  These are small groups with a purpose- exactly what Jesus did.  

Prayer: Lord, help me to seek fellowship not only for myself but for others and your glory.