Here we see Jesus seated on a hill top. Women and children have first place. The men are coming up from behind. They have come from work; their farm tools still in hand. See how the artist has depicted the listeners in contemporary dress. He wants the viewer to understand that Christ is for every time and every place. Christ is not a frozen memory from a long time ago. Another person interested in the message and meaning of Jesus to be grasped by his own time was J.B. Phillips 20th century Anglican cleric, author and translator of the New Testament. He writes in the introduction of that translation,
"I began the work of translation as long ago as 1941, and the work was undertaken primarily for the benefit of my Youth Club, and members of my congregation, in a much -bombed parish in South East London."
After the war, he was transferred to a "large and scattered parish" the demands of which slowed his translation project. It wasn't until 1958 that the work was completed and published. The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5,6,7 ) begins with the Beatitudes. Here is the J.B. Phillips translation of those well known verses
1 When Jesus saw the vast crowds he went up the hill-side and after he had sat down his disciples came to him. 2 Then he began his teaching by saying to them, 3 How happy are those who know their need for God, for the kingdom of Heaven is theirs! 4 How happy are those who know what sorrow means, for they will be given courage and comfort! 5 Happy are those who claim nothing, for the whole earth will belong to them. 6 Happy are those who are hungry and thirsty for true goodness, for they will be fully satisfied. 7 Happy are the merciful, for they will have mercy shown to them. 8 Happy are the utterly sincere, for they will see God. 9 Happy are those who make peace, for they will be known as children of God! 10 Happy are those who have suffered persecution for the cause of goodness, for the kingdom of Heave is theirs! 11 And what happiness will be yours when people blame you for my sake! 12 Be glad then, yes, be tremendously glad—for your reward in Heaven is magnificent."
In the painting, Jesus underscores this God-referred life with the raising of his hand and the pointing upwards of his finger.
We don't see twelve male apostles right up front but but women and children. The men are there, for sure, but in the background — as if they're late with their farming tools. The invasion of Ukraine is about soldiers, yes, but it's first about millions of women and children — mothers and grandmothers who are getting the children (the future ) to safety.
It is called The Sermon on the Mount. The sermon (Jesus' teaching) matters. But so does the setting —the hills themselves. Do you remember the psalm: "I lift up my eyes to the hills from whence cometh my help? My help cometh even from the Lord who hath made heaven and earth." Psalm 121:1-2
