Matthew 5:1-13 – Be glad for the crowds

At this point, at least according to Matthew’s account, the only disciples we know of so far are the first 4 – Simon/Peter, Andrew, James and John.  It seems that, here, as Jesus begins His Sermon on the Mount, He is speaking to the disciples. 

When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples and began to teach them..

Verses 3-16 sound very personal, like He is just speaking to his friends and not to the crowd at large. In these verses, there is no use of “I,” everything is “you” or “they.” There is only one use of “me.” Compare that to verses 17-40 where Jesus starts a pattern of “You have heard it said, but I tell you…” and He begins to counter the general religious views of the people.  His message changes from the very personal and others focused, to a more general, more “preachy” type of speech.  We know that the crowds eventually joined up with Jesus and the disciples as 7:28 explains, “when Jesus finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed…”

In verses 5:3-10, Jesus appears to be giving a general overview of heart status – “Blessed are those…” But then, verse 12 is different – “Blessed are YOU…” When I read this, I sit up and pay attention, which I can imagine was maybe Jesus’ intention for the disciples:

You! listen to me! Blessed are YOU when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  Rejoice and be glad! Because great is your reward in Heaven.  For, in the same way, they persecuted the prophets who were before you…

Jesus is preparing the disciples already, warning them that things are not always going to be good.  He won’t be leading them into an easy life.  He’s essentially saying that they are modern-day prophets, making them think about Jeremiah and Isaiah and all the other prophets that they have heard about and learned of.  There is great awe in that life, but also apprehension and responsibility.  

It almost seems like Jesus is speaking the beatitudes in the first few verses to remind the disciples not to be annoyed or frustrated with the crowds.  Saying, good for them! Be happy for them! Be glad that they are mourning and desperate for us, that they are hungering and thirsting for God! Don’t get upset at them for following us everywhere – they are blessed!

Basically, I hear Jesus telling them –  Be glad for this! Be thankful for this time when these people are clamoring for our attention and our presence! because all too soon you will be like the Old Testament prophets whose people did not listen to them or seek their presence or respond, but instead persecuted and banished them… 

Who are my crowds?

Who are those following me around, clamoring for my attention and presence?

For me, it is my children, of course.  These little people I am raising and nurturing, teaching and loving and caring for day in and day out, every single day, for over seven years now… 

Blessed are those who play with cars endlessly, for theirs is the joy of imagination.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst all day long, for they will grow and be healthy.

Blessed are those who cry and scream and throw tantrums for they are learning to get along in this life.

Blessed are those who fight naps and refuse to sleep for they are excited and thriving in this life.

My “crowds” are not annoying, not to be avoided… they are doing and being the most necessary things God wants them to do, what He created them to be.  They are blessed in this state – it is MY heart that needs to be checked.

In my mind’s eye, I can see the swell of people, robes raised slightly above their dusty feet, faces hopeful and curious, determined, trudging up the hill towards Jesus.  I can see Jesus getting the disciples attention and gesturing with his arm: Those people out there, those crowds following us and smelly and loud and grating on our nerves, they are BLESSED! Do you not see it?!?! 

You are the salt, you are the light… if you can’t understand what they’re about, what hope do we have? 

I am the salt, the light of my home. The mama.  My crazy, precious children are doing and being exactly what God designed them to do and be. They are blessed in that.  Can I not see it? Don’t shun them for it, don’t turn them away… love them, welcome them, nurture them, honor them… for this is the easy part. 

The days are coming soon when I will face much harder trials, when my children will not be clinging to me, but will instead be pushing me away; growing and stretching their wings, questioning, doubting, no longer listening to me as the most important voice in their lives. 

Be grateful for the crowds. 

Who are your crowds? What would your beatitudes be? Is there someone in your life who Jesus is calling you to nurture, to minister to, that you are resisting?