I asked you to read the sermon on the mount to see how long it would take. I did the same and it took me 20 minutes. That is not a long time in comparison to most sermons. We do not all read at the same pace. Some are speed readers and those reading times would be shorter.

During my reading I noticed two things. I did not pause in my reading to allow those words to sink in. Pastors do not rush through a sermon and often pause, gesture, and move from side to side looking his congregation in the eye.

The second thing I noticed was that the Holy Spirit would remind me of other scriptures that I have read over decades and connected what Jesus was saying with other passages in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. Those listening to Him on that mount did not have all that information nor had the Holy Spirit been given them.

Sermons are not given these days as Jesus gave the sermon on the mount. All that Jesus spoke that day deserves more than just a quick read. They deserve discussion so that their importance is not easily discarded. Jesus said before that sermon, Matthew 4:4 But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Bread has to be digested in order to nourish the body, as does His Word.

Matthew 7:28 And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching,

This is the end of the sermon on the mount that began at Matthew 5:1.

Just as an exercise in patience, time yourself in how long it takes you to read all the words of Matthew 5, 6 and 7.

How long did it take you to read those three chapters?

Now think about those that were hearing the sermon on the mount for the first time and ask yourself earnestly if you could sit still long enough to hear anyone speak that long.

Jesus is not just anyone. He is the Christ. He is still God’s anointed, that has not changed.

Matthew 7:29 for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

Scribes were their teachers in those days.