The Sermon on the Mount is Heaven's benediction
to the world--a voice from the throne of God.
It was given to mankind to be to them the law
of duty and the light of heaven, their hope and
consolation in despondency, their joy and comfort in all
the vicissitudes and walks of life. Here the Prince
of preachers, the Master Teacher, utters the words
that the Father gave Him to speak.
The Beatitudes are Christ's greeting, not only to
those who believe, but to the whole human family.
He seems to have forgotten for a moment that He is
in the world, not in heaven; and He uses the familiar
salutation of the world of light. Blessings flow from
His lips as the gushing forth of a long-sealed current
of rich life.
Christ leaves us in no doubt as to the traits of
character that He will always recognize and bless.
From the ambitious favorites of the world, He turns
to those whom they disown, pronouncing all blessed
who receive His light and life. To the poor in spirit,
the meek, the lowly, the sorrowful, the despised, the
persecuted, He opens His arms of refuge, saying,
"Come unto Me, . . . and I will give you rest."
Christ can look upon the misery of the world without
a shade of sorrow for having created man. In the
human heart He sees more than sin, more than misery.
In His infinite wisdom and love He sees man's
possibilities, the height to which he may attain. He
knows that, even though human beings have abused
their mercies and destroyed their God-given dignity,
yet the Creator is to be glorified in their redemption.
Throughout all time the words that Christ spoke
from the mount of Beatitudes will retain their power.
Every sentence is a jewel from the treasure house of
truth. The principles enunciated in this discourse
are for all ages and for all classes of men. With
divine energy, Christ expressed His faith and hope
as He pointed out class after class as blessed because
of having formed righteous characters. Living the life
of the Life-giver, through faith in Him, everyone
can reach the standard held up in His words.
E.G.W.