The Upside-Down Kingdom: Matthew 5:1-12

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

A mountain. In Matthew's Gospel, mountains matter—the devil showed Jesus kingdoms from a mountain, Jesus would later be transfigured on a mountain, he would give final instructions from a mountain. Now, like Moses ascending Sinai, Jesus climbed to teach.

He sat down. This was how rabbis taught—seated, with authority, disciples gathered at their feet. The crowds had followed; the disciples drew close.

He said: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.