And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them. . . (Matthew 5:1–2)

Today’s big question: are you ready to sit and listen at the feet of Jesus?

Jesus was followed by great crowds and everyone was amazed at His ability to heal every disease and affliction. As stated in the final verses of Matthew 4, the Lord’s fame had spread so far and wide that the sick and hurting were brought to Him for healing.

Imagine if one man could cure cancer today. He would be the most popular person in the world, and I am sure crowds would flock to him with hope of their loved ones being healed.

It was during this time of great popularity that Jesus sat down to teach His followers. He then delivered the most famous sermon in history—the Sermon on the Mount.

In this new series, we will take a short journey through just the first part of this sermon, known as the Beatitudes. As we do, I wonder if we can come to Jesus with a consideration of how the disciples might have come. Jesus sat down to teach, and His disciples came to Him to listen. Just think of being able to sit at the very feet of Jesus and hear His teaching.

It was not abnormal for people to sit at the feet of the teachers since this is how rabbis regularly taught, but this was no normal teacher. Jesus had authoritatively taught in the synagogues, and He proclaimed the good news of the kingdom. His teaching was authenticated by His power as He miraculously healed people. Jesus was seated, and I am sure His disciples were fully attentive, anticipating every word.

Today Jesus is again seated, but this time He is on the throne. This might be a very simple thought, but it is totally relevant. How do we approach Scripture? Do we come to Scripture seeing the glory that abounds in our Savior and Lord? Do we come to sit at the feet of the greatest Teacher? Do we acknowledge His kingship as He teaches with full authority? Do we acknowledge His intimacy as we know that He is not some distant deity but a personal God who reveals His truth to us?

As you read and study Scripture, come with a disciple’s heart. Sit at the feet of the great and powerful Teacher. Fill your heart with anticipation. Listen to every word. Be blessed.