When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. He opened His mouth and began to teach them. Matthew 5:1-2 (NASB)
He opened His mouth.
That tickled me. How else was He going to teach? Was He going to practice ventriloquist skills with a stubborn donkey?
Then it dawned on me. He'd been teaching already. A lot by example. Touching and healing and loving on folks.
He'd taught and preached in the synagogues and gathered quite a following. And a huge crowd from all over the area joined up and traveled with Him. Probably more than could fit in the synagogue. And some who would not be welcome in a synagogue.
So He climbed up on a hill where the crowd could see Him, in a natural, open-air amphitheater. Maybe His voice would carry further. And He sat down on the hill. Sitting could have signified the coming of an important, official word.
Or it could have meant He planned a long sermon, and the group might miss the afternoon fishing tournament!
The committed ones jostled their way up the hill to be close to Him. I get that. I always want to be in the front row to see and catch every word of an inspiring speaker. I mean I crashed through the door and knocked fifty people to the ground to catch the enthusiasm of Richard Simmons up front and personal.
(Okay, I know some of you aren't going there, but I had a great time!)
And He opened his mouth. To speak loudly? To speak clearly? To be heard and understood?
He opened His mouth. He didn't speak through clenched teeth like I've been known to do in an angry moment--spitting venom and hissing orders and hurtful words, like a pharasitical snake.
Not such a great example of caring and love on my part.
And He began to speak words that would knock their sandals off. Words overflowing from a superabundant heart full of love and compassion. With authority and power. Words that challenged what the listeners believed, that contradicted what they had been taught.
New words. Odd words.
Blessed are . . .
Are others likely to listen to you because you've already taught by example?
Copyright © 2010 by Sandra Heska King
7 comments:
I hope so.
This post reminds me of the St. Francis of Assisi's famous quote "Preach the gospel at all times; when necessary use words."
That's the second time in 24 hours I've heard that quote. I think God is trying to tell me something!
Powerful post! I love your question and my answer is YES! Actions definitely speak louder than words!!!
Excellent post and so true! How can we expect anyone to listen to what we say if you haven't already "spoken" with our actions.
Good reminder - what do my actions say to those around me?
Love you my beautiful friend!
Alisa and Sharon: I'm afraid that way too often I tend to talk the talk instead of walk the walk.
I love the post,Sandy. But . . . Richard Simmons????
Haha, Linda. Yep. Richard Simmons!
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