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The Sermon on the Mount
| Bro Atkinson (United Kingdom)
T
he discourse known by the name of “The
Sermon on the Mount” is an epitome of the
blessings that await the children of God, and
of the commandments to be observed by them
if they would obtain those delightful blessings.
It was intended to be a guide for their conduct
exclusively – not for human organizations
known as “society,” with which it has nothing
to do.
Jesus describes the characteristics – essential
qualifications of his servants. They must be
poor in spirit, mourners, meek, hungering
after righteousness, merciful, pure in heart,
peacemakers, and willing sufferers of perse-
cutions, when such is brought upon them by
their good works. With that fact in mind (and
undoubtedly Jesus had it in mind), we can well
understand that were it not for the few who
rigidly comply with his commands and teach
men to do so, the earth would become
entirely corrupt. That is undoubtedly why
Jesus, having outlined these characteristics of
his followers – those who carried out the things
already expressed, being poor in spirit,
mourners, meek, hungering and thirsting after
righteousness – immediately refers to the fact
in verse 13: “Ye are the salt of the earth; but
if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith
shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for
nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden
under foot of men.” Salt is a preservative, and
when applied as a figure to the saints, it
means that their presence in the world saves
it from utter corruption and destruction. The
world calls upon the servants of God to assist
in the defence of its institutions. It regards
their attitude as utterly useless – indeed, as a
hindrance to that object. It little realizes that
their presence in the earth saves it from
complete putrefaction, and that when they
are taken away (as one day, and we believe,
very soon they will be) – destruction and utter
corruption will inevitably follow. There will be
nothing left worthy of preservation.
The references to the Law of Moses are very
important. Jesus did not oppose the Law, or in
any way deprecate it. He upheld it, and came
to fulfil it. He condemned hypocritical compli-
ance with the letter of the law to exclusion of
its spirit. Again, all the commandments that
Jesus gave in this discourse find a counterpart
in Old Testament declarations.
Abraham’s dealings with Lot are a perfect
example of seeking peace and making it.
‘Resist not evil’ has many aspects in its appli-
cation, but David often acted on that prin-
ciple.
One great lesson for us in our relationships,
in our worship, our praise, our gifts of service
and sacrifice, are unacceptable to the
Almighty whilst we have in our hearts
ill-feeling toward one another.
I should see a brother
languishing in sore distress,
and I should turn and
leave him comfortless,
When I might be a messenger
of hope and happiness,
how could I ask to have what I denied,
in my own hour of bitterness supplied?
If I might sing a little song
to cheer a fainting heart,
and I should seal my lips, and sit apart,
when I might bring a little sunshine
for life’s ache and smart,
How could I hope to have
my grief relieved,
if I kept silent when my brother grieved?
And so I know, that day is lost
wherein I fail to lend,
a helping hand to
my brother and wayfaring friend;
But if it show a burden lightened
by the cheer I send,
Then do I hold the
golden hours well spent,
and lay me down at night to sleep
in sweet content.
“As Ye Would”
If