LESSON VII.--AUGUST 14.

THE BEATITUDES.--MATT. 5:1-16.

      GOLDEN TEXT.--Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ--JOHN 1:17.
      TIME.--A. D. 28.
      PLACE.--In Galilee. Supposed to have been on Mt. Hattin, a hill south of the sea, on the road to Nazareth. Here, when the Crusaders were in Palestine, a great battle was fought between them and the Saracens.
      HELPFUL READINGS.--Luke 6:12-19; Luke 6:20-28; Mark 3:7-8.
      LESSON ANALYSIS.--I. The Kingly Teacher; 2. The Heirs of the Kingdom; 3. The Joy of Persecution; 4. The Salt of the Earth.

INTRODUCTION.

      A comparison of Matthew with Luke 6:12-19 enables us to form some conception of the circumstances that called out the most remarkable address that was ever delivered. The Lord had been engaged in his ministry near a year and a half; the preceding night had been passed alone in prayer; the apostles were then commissioned, and a charge given to them; a great multitude from all parts of Judea gathered during the day, eager to know more of the kingdom that they believed would soon be set up. Not even the apostles had any conception of the real character of that kingdom. They supposed it would be temporal, would bestow abundant temporal blessings, that the blessedness of its citizens would consist in power, riches, honors, exaltation, and security. The object of the discourse is to give a truer idea of the kingdom, of the character required for citizenship, of its relation to the Jewish commonwealth, and of what was needful to enter into the kingdom. The attentive reader will observe that it begins by a statement of what spirit is required to have the kingdom of heaven, and closes by a declaration of what must be done to enter the kingdom (Matt. 7:21-25).

      I. THE KINGLY TEACHER.--1. Seeing the multitudes. We gather from Luke, chapter 6, that the Lord passed the night in the mountain in prayer; in the morning he chose and ordained the twelve; he then came down to the plain, where he found a vast multitude, whom he taught. It seems from Matthew that when he saw them he again ascended the mountain to gain a convenient elevation. The Horns of Hattin, the traditional locality of the Sermon on the Mount, has a plain lying at its base. The mountain is about seven miles from Capernaum, is easily reached from the lake by a few minutes' [227] walk, and has a level place suitable for the collection of a multitude, to whence he could come down from the higher horns. When he had sat down. This is the usual posture of an oriental teacher, and is the natural one for familiar instruction. Christ never sought to play the part of an orator, as is too often the case with those who preach his gospel, but in plain, simple, conversational style, he sought to plant his truths in the human heart. His disciples came unto him. His disciples probably includes more than the apostles, and means all of the multitude who came to be taught. These gathered about him, while the rest of the multitude were farther away.

      2. He opened his mouth and taught them. This is a formula indicating a solemn and authoritative utterance. The King who shall reign over the coming kingdom now opens his mouth to declare its principles. When the Lord opens his mouth we should open our ears and hearts. The whole discourse that follows, a "sermon that commands the admiration of all decent men, even rationalists and infidels," would not require more than thirty minutes for delivery, yet it has had more influence than any other discourse ever delivered upon the earth. Other teachers might profit by the Lord's brevity. Luther says to preachers: "Got up freshly, open your mouth widely, and get done quickly."

      II. THE HEIRS OF THE KINGDOM.--3. Blessed. There follow nine beatitudes, each of which pronounces a blessing upon those who have certain characteristics. The word "blessed" is first applied to God and means more than "happy" as it has sometimes been translated. Happiness comes from earthly things; blessedness comes from God. It is not bestowed arbitrarily; a reason follows each beatitude. It is a permanent state of spiritual felicity.--Schaff. The poor in spirit. The humble in contrast with the haughty; those sensible of spiritual destitution, rather than those puffed up with spiritual pride. The same state of mind is referred to when he speaks elsewhere of a contrite and broken spirit. The Publican who prayed to God to have mercy upon him, a sinner, was an example of one poor in spirit. The Jews, generally, with their carnal hopes and spiritual pride, were not poor in spirit. For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. If there was one sentiment spread more widely than any other through this multitude it was the hope of the near approach of the kingdom of God. Of this kingdom they had no higher conception than that it would be a free and independent outward Jewish monarchy, composed of the proud children of Abraham, of noble descent, the worthiest of the earth. This spiritual and national pride is now treated by our Lord. It is the humble, contrite, lowly, and those who feel their spiritual needs who shall possess the kingdom. What could run more counter to the ambitious hopes of that multitude than the first sentence of the Lord! Sense of want must come [228] before spiritual blessings. Those who thanked God that "they were Jews by birth, and not sinners as the Gentiles," had no sense of spiritual wants.

      4. Blessed are they that mourn. Not all mourners, for there is "a sorrow of this world that worketh death." Godly sorrow is meant, a mourning over sinfulness. No one will seek to escape from sin until he mourns over his sinfulness. Those who thus mourn have the promise. "A broken and contrite spirit he will not despise." He will bestow rest on the heavy laden.

      5. Blessed are the meek. The mild, the gentle, the tranquil, opposed to the passionate and ambitious, the kind of men who succeeded in such a kingdom as the Jews expected. In an earthly kingdom the self-seeker, the man who pushes his way, and asserts his claims is the man who gets most. In the kingdom about to be established it is the opposite class who shall prosper. Shall inherit the earth. The land; Canaan as the type of all blessings. It is the heavenly land especially that is inherited. The especial reference is to the Messiah's kingdom of which "the land" of Canaan was a type. Not fierce, bold, proud soldiers, as the people believed, but the meek would possess the land.

      6. Blessed are they that hunger, etc. This implies the same sense of spiritual needs as verses 3 and 4. Hunger is a felt want, in this case a want of righteousness before God, the righteousness that comes from the forgiveness of sins. It was after the prodigal son "came to himself," and said, " I perish with hunger," that he resolved, "I will arise and go to my father's house." There he was filled. So, too, of the contrite sinner always. He hungers for the favor of God, is led by his hunger to repentance and obedience, receives remission of his sins, has his hunger satisfied because he is made righteous before God and "has peace with God being justified by faith in Jesus Christ."

      7. Blessed are the merciful. That multitude with their martial ideas of the kingdom thought that the military virtues were those that would bring blessedness, but Christ pronounces his blessings on the opposite qualities. The merciful, those who instead of resenting injury are ready to forgive, shall obtain the divine mercy. The fifth petition of the Lord's prayer implies that we must forgive if we expect to be forgiven.

      8. Blessed are the pure in heart. The Jew, under the tuition of the Pharisees, cared little for the state of the heart so that outward forms were duly kept. [229] Religion consisted chiefly in ablutions and the strict observance of ceremonials. They taught that there was guilt in actions but took no note of evil thoughts and purposes. Jesus, on the other hand, taught that the heart must be purified, evil thoughts must be chased out, wicked purposes must not be cherished, the thoughts and intentions must be holy, the only way to secure a pure life was to have a pure heart. They shall see God. Not with the natural eye but with the spiritual vision; by faith. In the pure heart the Lord will dwell and his presence will be recognized. There will be a sense of the divine oversight and helpfulness, of the upholding by the Father's hands on earth, and in eternity his undimmed presence. See John 14:23.

      9. Blessed are the peacemakers. Not the men who should march under the banner of a Jewish king to conquer the nations, but the men who in the name of the Prince of Peace go forth to proclaim peace and good will among men. Christ is the great peacemaker, making peace between Jew and Gentile (Col. 1:20), between man and man, and between man and God. Those who undertake this work in his name, and who proclaim the gospel of peace and love, shall be his brethren, and like him, be children of God. The Jews expected their Messiah to be a warrior; instead he was a Peacemaker.

      III. THE JOY OF PERSECUTION.--10. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake. The Jews expected the Messiah to be a great conqueror, his kingdom to be a conquering kingdom, and its citizens to be lords among the nations, but he pronounces a blessing on those who are persecuted, not on account of their misdeeds, but for righteousness. These are they who shall have the kingdom; the same promise as was made to the poor in spirit. The highest of all blessings is the kingdom of heaven, for it includes every other. Doubtless these words have sustained and cheered many a martyr.

      11. Blessed when men revile you. This is a personal application of what has just preceded and is addressed to his disciples. Some of those who listened to him were reviled by the Jews, and persecuted unto death. The Jews were the first persecutors. For my sake. In the preceding verse it is said "for righteousness' sake." The two expressions mean the same. Christ is our righteousness. His disciples shall be troubled for his sake, but the troubles shall bring blessings. [230]

      12. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad. On account of persecution for Christ's sake. The reason why they may justly rejoice is given; Great is your reward in heaven. Faith may enable them to make light of present troubles because of the blessings and glories that are coming. So persecuted they the prophets. Isaiah is said to have been sawn asunder; Jeremiah was thrown into a dungeon and threatened with death.

      IV. THE SALT OF THE EARTH.--13. Ye are the salt of the earth. The disciples, those who are citizens of the kingdom, and who may be persecuted for Christ's sake. Salt preserves from corruption. The disciples of Christ preserve the world from general corruption. Whatever becomes utterly corrupted is doomed to be destroyed. The disciples, by leavening the world with righteous principles, prevent its destruction. Ten righteous men would have saved Sodom. A city or nation that becomes like a putrid carcass must perish. But if the salt have lost its savour. Salt is worthless if it has lost its qualities. It preserves no longer. It is fit only to be cast out and trodden under foot. So, too, if those who are the salt of the earth cease to communicate saving power they are fit only to be cast out, and Christ will cast such out of his mouth (see Rev. 3:16). Churches that have ceased to endure and to proclaim Christ's name have been rejected. The churches planted by the apostles in Asia are an example.

      14. Ye are the light of the world. The business of the church is not only to save, but to enlighten. Christ is light and his disciples must be light. They spread the light of truth and hope, and chase away the darkness of error and despair. A city set on a hill. Anciently cities, for the sake of defence, were placed on hills. Such cities are seen from afar. So must the church give forth its light.

      15. Light a candle and put it under a bushel. A lamp in the Revision, which is correct. Candles and candlesticks were not used in Scripture times. The [231] seven-branched candlestick of the tabernacle was composed of seven olive oil lamps. It would be foolishness to light a lamp and put it under a bushel measure.

      16. Even so, let your light shine. Like the city set on a hill, or the lighted lamp on a stand. We are told, 1. To let our light shine, 2. Before men, 3. By good works, 4. That they may glorify the Father in heaven. Christ is the Light; we will shine with reflected light if we walk in his light. We are not to shine by words, or profession, but by works. If we do the will of Christ, set a pure and holy example, do good, and bless men, it will always be a powerful argument to men in favor of religion. An infidel, pointing to a true Christian, once said, "There is an argument I cannot answer. I cannot refute such a pure and holy life."

PRACTICAL AND SUGGESTIVE.

      POOR IN SPIRIT.-Self denial is the first lesson in Christ's school, and poverty of spirit is the first beatitude. The foundation of all other graces is laid in humility. Those who would build high must begin low--Henry. The first steps to mount a ladder must begin from the ground.--Basil.

      THEY THAT MOURN.--For perfect beings sorrow is not needful, but to creatures like men, seeking to escape the burden and thrall of animal life, sorrow is helpful--

      PERSECUTED.--I give thanks unto God for this, that I am found worthy to be among those the world hated--Jerome. I am getting rather proud, for I see that my character is more and more defamed--Luther. "Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory--Paul.

      SALT.--Salt in the east loses its saltness by exposure and admixture of foreign matters, and it is then rendered worthless. Thompson says that he found such salt in localities at the south end of the Dead Sea. He says (The Land and the Book) "It is a well known fact that the salt of this country (Palestine), when in contact with the ground, or exposed to the sun and rain, does become insipid and useless. From the manner in which it is gathered, much earth and other impurities are necessarily collected with it not a little of it is so impure that it cannot be used at all, and such salt effloresces, and turns to dust.   *   *   *   It is cast into the street and trodden under foot of men." [232]

      LET LIGHT SHINE. It is not enough that we carry religion in our hearts, like fire carried in flints, but we are outwardly, visibly, apparently, to serve and honor the living God.--Hooker. The eclipses of the sun are seen and noted by all men. If those appointed to be the light of the world undergo eclipse men's eyes will be upon them. Habitual and professed sinners may sin without observation or comment, but, not so the professing Christian--Richard Baxter. Lord Peterborough, a skeptical wit, stopped for sometime with the pious Fenelon at Cambray, and was so impressed with virtue, purity and good deeds of his host, that he exclaimed, as he went away; "If I stay here long, I will become a Christian in spite of myself."

POINTS FOR TEACHERS.

      1. Point out the incidents that precede the sermon on the mount, a night of prayer, apostles ordained, multitudes gathered to hear and see. 2. Bring out the surroundings; the Horns of Hattin, plain below, Sea of Galilee near, Jesus on mountain side, disciples around him, seated as he teaches. 3. Point out the significance of this discourse. The Kingdom early expected, is misunderstood, an explanation of its underlying principles, an exposure of mistakes. 4. Show that he declares, who shall have the kingdom, the poor in spirit, the persecuted, those who do his will shall enter. 5. Consider the beatitudes, show that in the kingdom precisely the opposite characters are "blessed" than those whom the Jews expected to be. Take up the beatitudes one by one, and show this to be the case. 6. Show why persecution takes place. Upon whom it confers a blessing, why martyrs have rejoiced. 7. Show how Christians are the salt of the earth and why some churches are cast away. 8. Point out how they are the light of the world. Why their light must shine, upon whom, how, and who will be glorified as the result. 9. Point out the characteristics of disciples of Christ as learned from this lesson. How many are there and what?

Source: Barton Warren Johnson. The Christian International Lesson Commentary for 1887. Des Moines, IA: