Matthew 5:1-2 1Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountaintop and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.
I had always thought of the Sermon on the Mount, which begins in Matthew 5, as a sermon in the sense that Jesus "preached" to the whole crowd. After reading verses 1 and 2 of chapter 5, I wonder if the sermon was more of a teaching session just to the 12 disciples.
It appears from a closer reading of verses 1 and 2 that Jesus actually removed Himself and his disciples from the crowd so He could reveal to them some foundational truths. After reading several commentaries about the Sermon on the Mount, my interpretation is most likely incorrect, but it does point to the need for Christ's followers to get alone with the Master on a regular basis so He can speak to individuals.
Corporate worship has its place and is encouraged in Hebrews 10:25, but it cannot replace the intimacy of solitary time with Jesus.
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