(An early-summer daily devotion)

In Matthew chapters 5, 6, & 7, we are treated to Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount.”

The opening lines of this material states:

Matthew 5:1-2

5 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. ² Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

Matthew closes this section of his gospel as such:

Matthew 7:28-29

²⁸ Now when Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astounded at his teaching, ²⁹ for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.

In between, we find the sermon itself.

From my own experience, if you sit down and read it out loud, the Sermon on the Mountain takes about 15 minutes to read. I’d like for us to spend some of our devotional time in June listening to Jesus instruct us about life and living.

The assignment for this day would be to read Matthew chapters 5,6, & 7 straight through. Don’t take notes and don’t stop to think things over. Just read it as if Jesus was speaking to you. Let these words wash over your heart.

And tomorrow we’ll come back again to start reading little sections, giving them the time to sink in.

Prayer

Let me pause a little on these early summer days to listen for my Lord’s preaching and teaching. Speak to me, as I live as a disciple of my Lord and Savior, Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.