Contemplative Bible Reading

Matthew 5:1-2 (New International Version)

1 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them saying:

Here is the situation: Jesus is about to speak to a large crowd of people. He is on the side of a mountain. He stands and speaks. No, that isn’t how it happened. Instead, he sat down.

Now how can you deliver probably the biggest speech of your life sitting? Surely you stand. That allows everyone to hear and see you better. Standing establishes your authority over the audience.

No, that isn’t how it happened. Instead, he sat down.

But Jesus is all powerful. He could speak in a normal tone of voice and cause thousands of people spread over great distances to hear him no matter what the circumstances. That they heard Jesus was a miracle, right?

Maybe, but that isn’t what the scriptures tell  us. Instead, he sat down and spoke to them.

Sometimes we should sit down, calm down, and have a quiet talk.