This Mountain!

This Mountain: A Place of Healing, Calling, and Transformation

By: JK. Woodall, Ph.D.

The mountain in Matthew 5:1 where Jesus delivered His famous Sermon on the Mount was more than just a location; it became a place of encounter, healing, and transformation. The crowds gathered there from every direction, carrying with them a wide array of burdens. Some came with physical afflictions, others with unseen wounds—grief, loneliness, anxiety, and the desperate need for hope. Each step to that mountain was fueled by faith, a belief that in meeting Jesus, they would encounter a power greater than their suffering.

Jesus Sees the Crowds

As the crowds gathered, Jesus noticed each one, seeing beyond their physical needs to the deeper struggles in their hearts. His response was not one of distancing, but of compassion and intimacy. Jesus welcomed them, ready to teach, heal, and transform lives. This act of climbing the mountain to speak directly to them was symbolic—Jesus wanted to be seen and heard by everyone, regardless of their place in society. This mountain would become a place of revelation and renewal.

The Journey of the Crowds and Jesus’ Own Testing

Like Jesus' own 40 days of fasting and testing in the wilderness, many in the crowd had endured their own hardships to arrive at this point. They traveled long distances, carrying both physical and spiritual wounds, to find the One who could meet their needs. Their journey speaks to the faith it took to make such an arduous trip, mirroring Jesus’ own journey through the wilderness and His readiness to endure suffering on behalf of others.

Two Groups on the Mountain: The Afflicted and the Called

Two distinct groups were present that day:

1. The Afflicted Crowds: The crowd was filled with people suffering from all kinds of physical, mental, and spiritual conditions. According to Matthew 4:23-25, they brought their illnesses, paralysis, and afflictions, hoping for healing. Each person carried their own story of pain and struggle, and this mountain became a sacred place where they found both comfort and new understanding. Jesus would soon begin His teaching by proclaiming that even those who mourn, who are meek, and who are poor in spirit are blessed—revealing the heart of a kingdom that is open to all who seek.

2. The Disciples: Jesus’ disciples, too, were part of this gathering. While they were not suffering physical affliction, they were beginning to learn what their calling would demand of them. As they witnessed Jesus’ compassion and listened to His teachings, they were being prepared for the challenges ahead. The disciples saw the suffering around them, foreshadowing the hardships they themselves would face as they carried Jesus’ message to the world. On this mountain, they received the foundational teachings of their ministry, rooted in humility, compassion, and endurance.

The Mountain as a Place of Healing

The mountain became a place where healing was not just physical but spiritual and emotional as well. Jesus began with the Beatitudes, addressing the hearts of the people before Him: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3). His words spoke directly to their pain and their need for hope, inviting them to see themselves as deeply valued and blessed in God’s eyes, even in their suffering. This was a revolutionary message that offered them a new way to see themselves and to understand their place in the kingdom of God.

The mountain was transformed into a sanctuary of hope. Those who mourned, felt rejected, or were oppressed found in Jesus’ words a new vision of worth and purpose. Here, Jesus showed them that they were not forgotten or cast aside but were honored in the kingdom He proclaimed.

Calling and Preparation of the Disciples

For the disciples, this mountain was also a place of calling. Jesus was preparing them to carry forward the message of the kingdom, one centered on humility, love, mercy, and justice. They witnessed Jesus’ deep compassion for the afflicted, which would shape their understanding of true discipleship. This moment on the mountain set the tone for their ministry, showing them the depth of commitment and selflessness that would be required of them as they followed Him.

The Mountain as a Place of Transformation

The mountain stands as a timeless symbol of transformation. It was here that the crowd—ordinary people burdened by suffering—met Jesus, who offered them healing and hope. The mountain reminds us that when we bring our pain, brokenness, and struggles to Jesus, He meets us with compassion and power. For the disciples, the mountain represented the beginning of their mission, a place where their hearts and minds were reshaped for the work that lay ahead.

This mountain, then, is a reminder for us all—a place where we, too, can bring our burdens, trusting that Jesus sees us, welcomes us, and has the power to heal and transform our lives.