23rd. September. 2021. Daily Devotion.

Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: . . . Matthew 5:1-2

The Sermon on the Mount can fairly be called the most important Christian teaching in existence (apart from the doctrine of salvation by grace). It is nothing less than the concentrated memory of many hundred hours of heart-to-heart communion between Jesus and his disciples. To the Jews of the day, it was a radical change in everything they had been taught about the proper relationship of man and God; and to any person not acquainted with Christian dogma, it is mind-bending, counter-intuitive, and utterly contrary to human experience.

The odd language detailing that Christ sat down and opened his mouth, which seem superfluous, were both conventional to the time. Rabbis would teach while standing and walking, but to make a critical pronouncements, they would sit. The phrase “opened his mouth” was idiomatic, used to relate official or important pronouncements, especially for oracles or for kings making an edict. Christ would have been walking around; when he sat and opened his mouth, it would have silenced the crowd. In the silence of our hearts we must listen.

Give me grace, good Lord, to attend with careful attention to the words which came from your mouth in the days of your ministry up0n earth that they may confirm and guide my faith in your salvation. Amen.

Doxology

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise him, all creatures here below;
Praise him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen. Thomas Ken (1674)

Coronavirus Prayers

For hospital staff and medical researchers
Gracious God, give skill, sympathy and resilience to all who are caring for the sick,
and your wisdom to those searching for a cure. Strengthen them with your Spirit,
that through their work many will be restored to health, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
From one who is ill or isolated
O God, help me to trust you, help me to know that you are with me, help me to believe that nothing can separate me from your love revealed in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

A Prayer For Strength
O God, our God, Our Creator and our strength, help us to understand your ways and to accept that we were not meant to understand all things or control all things. Help us please to accept in faith your will and live by your grace in hope and with joy.
It is hard Great Eternal One, so hard for us to still our fretful minds and trust in you as you have instructed. We know we fall short, and we ask your forgiveness. Please send us thy peace and give us understanding That we might imitate Christ and live fully and without fear. Amen.