Mount of Beatitudes path through olive grove

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COME UP THE MOUNTAIN

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he began to speak and taught them.

Matthew 5:1-2

The Sermon on the Mount begins with listening. Before any blessing or instruction was spoken, the first thing Jesus did was to go up the mountain and sit, and the people chose to draw near and listen.

Mountains are often places of encounter with God — spaces set apart. Jesus invites us to climb the mountain, to step away from the crowds of hurry and opinion, away from the noises and distractions of our busy lives, and to sit and listen. Lent invites us to choose this posture: to begin 40 days of spiritual formation with listening. In this season of intentional slowing down we fast from things that distract us from God: not only from food or habits, but also from noise and the constant need to speak. Transformation begins not in frantic striving, but in stillness before Jesus.

However, in order to hear Him, we must draw near. Presence precedes proclamation. Relationship comes before instruction. Before the Beatitudes challenge our assumptions, Jesus gathers his followers close. Jesus invites us to draw near, be still, listen, and then receive. To listen deeply, we must choose proximity — through prayer, Scripture, silence, and repentance. 

Listening is not passive; it is receptive obedience. When we actively and honestly listen, it is not to argue or presume, but to learn. The crowds may hear words, but disciples lean in. To listen as a disciple is to allow Jesus’ teaching to reshape our hearts. Jesus teaches truths that shape speech and character, truths that inform us to speak life, truth, and grace. The words we speak reveal whether we are listening to Him as His disciples, or are merely a part of the crowd of hearers. Following Jesus means rooting our identity in God, not in praise or criticism. 

As we move through the next 40 days, we will follow this pattern from Matthew 5:1-2:

  • Go up the mountain — create space.
  • Sit before Jesus — embrace stillness.
  • Draw near — choose attentiveness.
  • Then listen — not just to understand, but to be changed.

What is drawing us away from Jesus’ voice? What habits keep us at a distance? Life is loud. Lent begins with listening. Before action comes attention. Jesus invites us to sit and receive, ready to teach those who come close enough to hear.

Lord Jesus,

Draw us up the mountain with You, away from the noise to that quiet place where Your voice is clear. Teach us to come close and sit quietly before You in trust. Quiet our striving, still our restless thoughts, and open our hearts to Your teaching, so that we may receive Your Word.

Guard our words so they reflect Your love. Free us from the fear of others' opinions. Give us ears to listen and hear in humility without assumption. Grant that we will have hearts willing to be changed, that we may always do our honest best before You. Shape us into true disciples who seek Your presence.

Amen.

Focus on listening today: not on doing, but on listening better. Spend 10 minutes in silence, simply listening to God and His creation. Before speaking, take one breath and ask: Is my word truthful, kind, and necessary? Avoid correcting, interrupting, or assuming motives - practice listening fully.

Sitting at Jesus' feet reminds us we belong, and that we still have much to learn. We do not have to be perfect - only willing. Jesus teaches those who show up sincerely. Faithfulness matters, not perfection.