“When he saw the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to teach them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.” (Matthew 5:1–3, CSB)

In ancient times, mountains were often considered holy places, where heaven and earth meet…where deities lived…where the gods issued their decrees and cosmic forces did battle.

It was no surprise, then, that Moses went up Mount Sinai to meet God – and came back down with the Law.

Many years later, Jesus also went up a mountain. He sat down (the posture of a teacher), and gave the most amazing sermon ever preached, “The Sermon on the Mount.” In it, he would talk about the Law of God, but radically re-interpret it. He would tell his “congregation” that God isn’t after simple obedience, he is after our hearts. God doesn’t just want us to change our behavior alone, he wants a change of heart.

And just like that day many years before with Moses, the people met God…this time not with fire, smoke, and thunder, but in Jesus.

I hope you’ll join us Sunday for my message “Where Heaven Meets Earth” as we launch a new sermon series “Lessons from the Mount.”

See you then!