Behind the Sermon on the Mount Artwork
The message art for the series “The Sermon on the Mount” shows a variety of outlined shapes and colors collectively making up a mountain. Some of those shapes have unseen portions below the surface. Jesus taught on a variety of issues in the Sermon On The Mount: anger, adultery, divorce, revenge, love, fasting, and money were just a few. These topics are represented here by the different shapes and sizes. They are all outlined because each of the topics that Jesus covered could have stood alone; however, Jesus was teaching a much larger concept than any one individual topic He was teaching on the Kingdom of God.
Sailing along the Sea of Galilee, I remember hearing our tour guide say, “Over here is where Jesus taught the Sermon on the Mount.” Looking out at what was more of a grassy hill than a mountain, I thought, “Such an ordinary spot for such an extraordinary event to take place.” I bet those people sitting on that grass were not thinking that they were about to listen to one of the most famous teachings ever recorded. They were probably thirsty and uncomfortable sitting on the ground. But God does monumental things in ordinary spaces, and our comfort is not a factor. The only determining factor is if we have eyes to see and ears to hear. Maybe you feel like you lead an ordinary life; nothing seems grand or exciting about your day to day. But what makes life extraordinary is not where we are locationally or what we feel called to vocationally; it's always what God is doing and saying right where we are.
“One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him and he began to teach them.” Matthew 5:1-2 NLT
I love that Jesus didn’t send out a notice that He was about to preach and encouraged everyone to invite a friend. It wasn’t THEE DAY, it was just “one day”...an ordinary day. He didn’t prepare or plan; He simply had eyes to see and ears to hear what the Lord wanted to say that day.
JOURNAL: What do you see taking shape around you? Maybe it’s a friendship developing, or a new passion emerging. What does the Lord want to say to you or through you today?
PRAYER: Father, I am so thankful that You are moving and speaking in my life, that You want to do the extraordinary around me and even use me in my availability. I’m so thankful that my imperfection doesn’t make You uncomfortable, that it doesn’t surprise You. Thank You for loving me right now, just as I am, and thank You for wanting more for me. You love me so much that you want me to grow and develop because of what You know could be for me. The peace I can step into, the comfort I can rest in, the blessing I can steward, the covering I can submit to, the favor I can walk in. You have so much for me, and You journey with me every step along the way. Give me eyes to see what You are doing right now and give me the courage to step into it and the wisdom to know how.
Sailing along the Sea of Galilee, I remember hearing our tour guide say, “Over here is where Jesus taught the Sermon on the Mount.” Looking out at what was more of a grassy hill than a mountain, I thought, “Such an ordinary spot for such an extraordinary event to take place.” I bet those people sitting on that grass were not thinking that they were about to listen to one of the most famous teachings ever recorded. They were probably thirsty and uncomfortable sitting on the ground. But God does monumental things in ordinary spaces, and our comfort is not a factor. The only determining factor is if we have eyes to see and ears to hear. Maybe you feel like you lead an ordinary life; nothing seems grand or exciting about your day to day. But what makes life extraordinary is not where we are locationally or what we feel called to vocationally; it's always what God is doing and saying right where we are.
“One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him and he began to teach them.” Matthew 5:1-2 NLT
I love that Jesus didn’t send out a notice that He was about to preach and encouraged everyone to invite a friend. It wasn’t THEE DAY, it was just “one day”...an ordinary day. He didn’t prepare or plan; He simply had eyes to see and ears to hear what the Lord wanted to say that day.
JOURNAL: What do you see taking shape around you? Maybe it’s a friendship developing, or a new passion emerging. What does the Lord want to say to you or through you today?
PRAYER: Father, I am so thankful that You are moving and speaking in my life, that You want to do the extraordinary around me and even use me in my availability. I’m so thankful that my imperfection doesn’t make You uncomfortable, that it doesn’t surprise You. Thank You for loving me right now, just as I am, and thank You for wanting more for me. You love me so much that you want me to grow and develop because of what You know could be for me. The peace I can step into, the comfort I can rest in, the blessing I can steward, the covering I can submit to, the favor I can walk in. You have so much for me, and You journey with me every step along the way. Give me eyes to see what You are doing right now and give me the courage to step into it and the wisdom to know how.
No Comments