Sermon on the Mount - Blessed Are...
Sermon on the Mount
Ever wonder how Jesus managed to be heard during his Sermon on the Mount or
any other sermon to large crowds in the Sea of Galilee region in those
pre-microphone days? Did he have to keep yelling at the top of his lungs?
The answer is no. The Sea of Galilee is shaped like a giant bowl and has strong winds that serve as a natural amplifier. A firm voice spoken downwind is carried a fair distance. After overhearing the leader of a group visiting the Sermon on the Mount site explain this to his group, I walked about 70 yards downwind from him. Sure enough, I could still hear the man quite clearly, and he wasn't even talking that loudly.
The hilltop church on the far left of the photo overlooks the Sea of Galilee to the right, and commemorates Jesus' blessed Sermon on the Mount, which Matthew wrote about:
"And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them.
Great multitudes followed Him - from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan. And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven..."
(Matthew 4:23-5:10) Click here to read the rest of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.
The answer is no. The Sea of Galilee is shaped like a giant bowl and has strong winds that serve as a natural amplifier. A firm voice spoken downwind is carried a fair distance. After overhearing the leader of a group visiting the Sermon on the Mount site explain this to his group, I walked about 70 yards downwind from him. Sure enough, I could still hear the man quite clearly, and he wasn't even talking that loudly.
The hilltop church on the far left of the photo overlooks the Sea of Galilee to the right, and commemorates Jesus' blessed Sermon on the Mount, which Matthew wrote about:
"And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them.
Great multitudes followed Him - from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan. And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven..."
(Matthew 4:23-5:10) Click here to read the rest of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.