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Matthew 5:1-2 (the message)

"When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions."

"... the committed, climbed with Him." I get an image of a bunch of guys hiking (or climbing) together. This little opening couple of verses says a lot about relationships and life stuff. Jesus' ministry is building building building, lots of people are wanting a piece of Him, wanting to hear what He has to say, and becoming believers and followers of Him as the Messiah. I can imagine the crowds would have been starting to get a little crazy at times, and maybe it would have taken some initiative to get away, be alone, talk with Him with no one around, and to simply get to know the real Jesus - not just the crowd Jesus (not that I think He was different or inconsistent around different people or anything - what you see is what you get with Jesus - I'm suggesting that a church service with Jesus and being alone with Jesus in your bedroom can be two different experiences with Him. Both wonderful, yet both different, just like being in a crowded room with your best friend is way different than sitting over a coffee with them).

My first thought is that when it comes to Jesus (the most important relationship you will have in your whole life), you will notice the very close ones to Him. You will notice those ones, those beautiful souls who have put their faith in Jesus in front of everything else in their lives. It's such a passion for them that it's kind of like you can see it written all over their faces. Those ones willing to go the extra distance to "climb hills" with Him, beside Him as companions, to be alone with Him, even when it doesn't seem trendy or convenient, or when being seen with Him is not very cool to the world.

And my other thought (much like my first one) is that in life you should find people that will climb the hills with you. When no one is watching and you're a big fat loser, it's those special and truly dedicated people, who are committed to climbing life with you who will be by your side climbing a dumb and tiring hill just to be beside you, and to get to know the real you. And even if you ever only find one person (a friend or parent or spouse or relative or pastor) over the course of your life who will be that special soul, stick with them, and climb all the way Home to heaven together.

So, pray that you will be that companion to Jesus and to others. Selah.
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