THE BEATITUDES.
The section of Matthew's Gospel included in Chapter s 5-7 is one of
the most beautiful and impressive in the entire New Testament. In the
simplest language, but with singular force and pertinency Jesus here
gave a summary of His moral teaching, the doctrine "of the fruits and
goo... [ Continua a leggere ]
A solemn and dramatic description of the beginning of a weighty
discourse: AND HE OPENED HIS MOUTH AND TAUGHT THEM, SAYING.
It was a confidential, awe-inspiring communication of the great
Teacher which the evangelist records, Job 3:1; Daniel 10:16; Psalms
78:2. A well-prepared, carefully outline... [ Continua a leggere ]
His first words strike the key-note of the entire discourse: Blessed
are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
The reference of Jesus here is not primarily to temporal poverty, to
earthly misery, as in other passages of the New Testament, 1
Corinthians 1:26-28; James 2:5. He i... [ Continua a leggere ]
Closely connected with this thought is the next: BLESSED ARE THEY THAT
MOURN; FOR THEY SHALL BE COMFORTED.
The disciples are subject to conditions and circumstances which cause,
which bring about, mourning, Luke 6:21-25; John 16:20; Acts 14:22. But
the chief reason for their lamenting lies in th... [ Continua a leggere ]
These two conditions form the prerequisite for the third beatitude:
BLESSED ARE THE MEEK, FOR THEY. SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH.
Their heart is not filled with self-righteousness, pride, and conceit.
They are bowed down with grief, and therefore are ready and willing to
endure with a meek spirit, Ps... [ Continua a leggere ]
Having named a few negative virtues, the Lord next mentions some
positive qualifications which should characterize His disciples:
BLESSED ARE THEY WHICH DO HUNGER AND THIRST AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS; FOR
THEY SHALL BE FILLED.
This righteousness is not that of Christ, imputed by faith, in which
case t... [ Continua a leggere ]
One of the chief proofs of the Christian's piety is mercy: BLESSED ARE
THE MERCIFUL, FOR THEY SHALL OBTAIN MERCY.
A heart filled with deep sympathy and sincere compassion for the
temporal and spiritual need of the neighbor, that is deeply concerned
for, and earnestly endeavors to do good to, all... [ Continua a leggere ]
But hypocritical behavior will not stand the test of His scrutiny:
Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God.
A mere outward purity in keeping the ceremonial injunctions of the Law
is not sufficient in the economy of God. He desires such hearts as
keep themselves pure, unsullied with... [ Continua a leggere ]
A third positive Christian virtue, reflecting the perfection of Christ
Himself: Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the
children of God.
The disciples of Jesus are children of peace: they not merely have
peace in their own souls through purity, they are not merely
peace-loving,... [ Continua a leggere ]
It is inevitable that the reproach of Christ will strike the disciples
in their endeavor to follow these rules, and so Jesus adds: BLESSED
ARE THEY WHICH ARE PERSECUTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS' SAKE; FOR THEIRS IS
THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
In living these principles of Jesus and thus confessing Christ be... [ Continua a leggere ]
Jesus applies this to His immediate disciples: BLESSED ARE YE WHEN MEN
SHALL REVILE YOU, AND PERSECUTE YOU, AND SHALL SAY ALL MANNER OF EVIL
AGAINST YOU FALSELY, FOR MY NAME'S SAKE.
These are a few of the forms in which the hatred of the enemies will
be likely to manifest itself. It is a persist... [ Continua a leggere ]
In spite of the persecutions, then: Rejoice, and be exceeding glad;
for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the
prophets which were before you.
Joy, gladness in the highest measure is possible, an irrepressible
exhibition of exultation is expected of Christ's followers. For al... [ Continua a leggere ]
THE CHIEF FUNCTIONS OF THE DISCIPLES IN THE WORLD.
The Lord continues to address His disciples directly: YE ARE THE SALT
OF THE EARTH; BUT IF THE SALT HAVE LOST HIS SAVOR, WHEREWITH SHALL IT
BE SALTED? IT IS THENCEFORTH GOOD FOR NOTHING BUT TO BE CAST OUT AND
TO BE TRODDEN UNDER FOOT OF MEN.
Ha... [ Continua a leggere ]
YE ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. A CITY THAT IS SET ON A HILL CANNOT BE
HID.... [ Continua a leggere ]
The same admonition under a different figure:... [ Continua a leggere ]
NEITHER DO MEN LIGHT A CANDLE AND PUT IT UNDER A BUSHEL, BUT ON A
CANDLESTICK, AND IT GIVETH LIGHT UNTO ALL THAT ARE IN THE HOUSE.
Christ is, strictly speaking, the only true light of the world, John
8:12; John 9:5; John 12:35. But His disciples partake of His nature;
they are a light in and thr... [ Continua a leggere ]
Jesus Himself applies the parable: LET YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE BEFORE MEN
THAT THEY MAY SEE YOUR GOOD WORKS, AND GLORIFY YOUR FATHER WHICH IS IN
HEAVEN.
The policy of obscuration, of hiding beliefs and convictions, is often
urged by lukewarm Christians, so-called "reasons of prudence and
wisdom: gra... [ Continua a leggere ]
CHRIST CONFIRMS AND EXPOUNDS THE LAW OF MOSES.
Good works Jesus has just urged. He now proceeds to give a definition
of good works from the Law. He makes clear His position with regard to
the Law: Think not that I am come to destroy the Law and the prophets.
I am not come to destroy, but to fulf... [ Continua a leggere ]
Note the emphasis of His assertion: FOR VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, TILL
HEAVEN AND. EARTH PASS, ONE JOT OR ONE TITTLE SHALL IN NO WISE PASS
FROM THE LAW TILL ALL BE FULFILLED.
With a solemn oath Christ here affirms that the Law shall be retained
also in the Church of the New Testament in the unabridg... [ Continua a leggere ]
In the meantime all men should know: WHOSOEVER THEREFORE SHALL BREAK
ONE OF THESE LEAST COMMANDMENTS, AND SHALL TEACH MEN SO, HE SHALL BE
CALLED THE LEAST IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN; BUT WHOSOEVER SHALL DO AND
TEACH THEM, THE SAME SHALL BE CALLED GREAT IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
Here is a conclusio... [ Continua a leggere ]
How strongly this feature is brought out by the contrast: FOR I SAY
UNTO YOU, THAT EXCEPT YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS SHALL EXCEED THE
RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES, YE SHALL IN NO CASE ENTER
INTO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.
Not in the teachers of the people as they were then acknowledged, but
on... [ Continua a leggere ]
The Lord now proceeds to prove His condemning statement by expounding
a few of the commandments of the Law according to their full spiritual
significance: Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou
shalt not kill: and, Whosoever shall kill, shall be in danger of the
judgment.
They... [ Continua a leggere ]
Christ's exposition is not so narrow: But I say unto you, That
whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger
of the judgment; and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall
be in danger of the council; but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall
be in danger of hell-fi... [ Continua a leggere ]
Therefore, if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest
that thy brother hath aught against thee,... [ Continua a leggere ]
Jesus presents the positive side of His exposition:... [ Continua a leggere ]
LEAVE THERE THY GIFT BEFORE THE ALTAR, AND GO THY WAY, FIRST BE
RECONCILED TO THY BROTHER, AND THEN COME AND OFFER THY GIFT.
The forgiving attitude is pictured from a happening which was very
frequent among the Jews, with which they were thoroughly familiar. A
Jew might bring his Corban, his gif... [ Continua a leggere ]
AGREE WITH THINE ADVERSARY QUICKLY, WHILES THOU. ART IN THE WAY WITH
HIM, LEST AT ANY TIME THE ADVERSARY DELIVER THEE TO THE JUDGE, AND THE
JUDGE DELIVER THEE TO THE OFFICER, AND THOU BE CAST INTO PRISON.... [ Continua a leggere ]
The same truth in a different parable:... [ Continua a leggere ]
VERILY, I SAY UNTO THEE, THOU SHALL BY NO MEANS COME OUT THENCE TILL
THOU HAST PAID THE UTTERMOST FARTHING.
The picture is that of a debtor on the way to court with his creditor,
Deuteronomy 21:18; Deuteronomy 25:1, who is his adversary, but
probably might be found willing to come to terms outsi... [ Continua a leggere ]
YE HAVE HEARD THAT IT WAS SAID BY THEM OF OLD TIME, THOU SHALT NOT
COMMIT ADULTERY.... [ Continua a leggere ]
A lesson from the Sixth Commandment:... [ Continua a leggere ]
BUT I SAY UNTO YOU, THAT WHOSOEVER LOOKETH ON A WOMAN TO LUST AFTER
HER HATH COMMITTED ADULTERY WITH HER ALREADY IN HIS HEART.
The Sixth Commandment had indeed been given to "them of old time,"
Exodus 20:14; Deuteronomy 5:18. But it was understood by the Jewish
teachers of the sin in deed only,... [ Continua a leggere ]
AND IF THY RIGHT EYE OFFEND THEE, PLUCK IT OUT AND CAST IT FROM THEE.
FOR IT IS PROFITABLE FOR THEE THAT ONE OF THY MEMBERS SHOULD PERISH,
AND NOT THAT THY WHOLE BODY SHOULD BE CAST INTO HELL.... [ Continua a leggere ]
Christ's advice to the tempted:... [ Continua a leggere ]
AND IF THY RIGHT HAND OFFEND THEE, CUT IT OFF AND CAST IT FROM THEE.
FOR IT IS PROFITABLE FOR THEE THAT ONE OF THY MEMBERS SHOULD PERISH,
AND NOT THAT THY WHOLE BODY SHOULD BE CAST INTO HELL.
The right eye and the right hand are named as prominent members in the
actual committing of sin, through... [ Continua a leggere ]
IT HATH BEEN SAID,. WHOSOEVER SHALL PUT AWAY HIS WIFE, LET HIM GIVE
HER A WRITING OF DIVORCEMENT.... [ Continua a leggere ]
A further illustration;... [ Continua a leggere ]
BUT I SAY UNTO YOU, THAT WHOSOEVER SHALL PUT AWAY HIS WIFE, SAVING FOR
THE CAUSE OF FORNICATION, CAUSETH HER TO COMMIT ADULTERY; AND
WHOSOEVER SHALL MARRY HER THAT IS DIVORCED, COMMITTETH ADULTERY.
The form in which Jesus here speaks indicates that He disapproves of
their literal interpretation... [ Continua a leggere ]
AGAIN, YE HAVE HEARD THAT IT HATH BEEN SAID BY THEM OF OLD TIME, THOU
SHALT NOT FORSWEAR THYSELF, BUT SHALT PERFORM UNTO THE LORD THINE
OATHS.... [ Continua a leggere ]
An illustration from the Second Commandment:... [ Continua a leggere ]
BUT I SAY UNTO YOU, SWEAR NOT AT ALL, NEITHER BY HEAVEN, FOR IT IS
GOD'S THRONE;... [ Continua a leggere ]
NOR BY THE EARTH, FOR IT IS HIS FOOTSTOOL; NEITHER BY JERUSALEM, FOR
IT IS THE CITY OF THE GREAT KING.... [ Continua a leggere ]
NEITHER SHALT THOU SWEAR BY THY HEAD, BECAUSE THOU CANST NOT MAKE ONE
HAIR WHITE OR BLACK.... [ Continua a leggere ]
BUT LET YOUR COMMUNICATION BE, YEA, YEA; NAY, NAY; FOR WHATSOEVER IS
MORE THAN THESE COMETH OF EVIL.
Jesus introduces the subject as before, referring to the customary
reading of the Law and the accompanying teaching. The implication of
Christ is that the people were really kept under a false im... [ Continua a leggere ]
THE LAW OF LOVE TOWARD THE ENEMY.
v. 38. YE HAVE HEARD THAT IT HATH BEEN SAID, AN EYE FOR AN EYE AND A
TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.
Jesus here refers to the law of retribution, or compensation, as
contained in the Levitical ordinances, Exodus 21:24. This is said to
the government, and is a sound principl... [ Continua a leggere ]
BUT WHOSOEVER SHALL SMITE THEE ON THE RIGHT CHEEK, TURN TO HIM THE
OTHER ALSO.... [ Continua a leggere ]
Christ brings out this fact by a few examples:... [ Continua a leggere ]
AND IF ANY MAN WILL SUE THEE AT THE LAW, AND TAKE AWAY THY COAT, LET
HIM HAVE THY CLOAK ALSO.... [ Continua a leggere ]
AND WHOSOEVER SHALL COMPEL THEE TO GO A MILE, GO WITH HIM TWAIN.
There is a climax in the examples chosen by Christ; injury goes from
bad to worse. There will be times and circumstances when love will be
ready patiently to suffer the repetition of the same injury: the
disgrace of being struck wi... [ Continua a leggere ]
GIVE TO HIM THAT ASKETH THEE; AND FROM HIM THAT WOULD BORROW OF THEE
TURN NOT THOU AWAY.
To give and to lend are two duties of charity which Christ puts on a
level, both guided by prudence and the interest of the neighbor, 2
Thessalonians 3:10; Proverbs 20:4. Stewards of God's bounty will have
t... [ Continua a leggere ]
YE HAVE HEARD THAT IT HATH BEEN SAID, THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOR,
AND HATE THINE ENEMY.
The first injunction is found in the Law, Leviticus 19:18. The second
part of the sentence is an addition made by the rabbis. They
understood the word "neighbor" of the members of their own nation
only, arg... [ Continua a leggere ]
Final illustration, from the general law of love:... [ Continua a leggere ]
BUT I SAY UNTO YOU, LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, BLESS THEM THAT CURSE YOU, DO
GOOD TO THEM THAT HATE YOU, AND PRAY FOR THEM WHICH DESPITEFULLY USE
YOU AND PERSECUTE YOU.
The injunction receives its application at all times and in all
places. The impressiveness of the passage is heightened by the
contrast... [ Continua a leggere ]
Such behavior is in agreement with the true nature of Christians: THAT
YE MAY BE THE CHILDREN OF YOUR FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN; FOR HE
MAKETH HIS SUN TO RISE ON THE EVIL AND ON THE GOOD, AND SENDETH RAIN
ON THE JUST AND ON THE UNJUST
to become and to be indeed the children of God, to possess an... [ Continua a leggere ]
FOR IF YE LOVE THEM WHICH LOVE YOU, WHAT REWARD HAVE YE? DO NOT EVEN
THE PUBLICANS THE SAME?... [ Continua a leggere ]
And there is also the moral distinction;... [ Continua a leggere ]
AND IF YE SALUTE YOUR BRETHREN ONLY, WHAT DO YE MORE THAN OTHERS? DO
NOT EVEN THE PUBLICANS SO?
That is the usual, the customary way of dealing in the world: Kind
deeds are rewarded with kind deeds, friendly words are given in return
for friendly words. That is the height of human morality. The... [ Continua a leggere ]
A summary of this section: BE YE THEREFORE PERFECT, EVEN AS YOUR
FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN IS PERFECT.
Since all these arguments must be accepted, and since love is the
fulfillment of the Law, the Lord draws His conclusion. Ye who wish to
be counted as My disciples shall stand out in contrast wi... [ Continua a leggere ]