Matthew 5:1. And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
You notice that the Preacher sat down, and that his disciples stood around him. If you find it somewhat warm and trying tonight, remember that you have the best of it, for you sit while the speaker stands. Concerning our Lord, we read: «When he was set, his disciples came unto him:»
Matthew 5:2. And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
Perhaps someone says, «He could not have taught them without opening his mouth» I have found that a great many try to teach without opening their mouths; but the earnest preacher speaks with all his might. So did Jesus in the open air on the mountain side: «He opened his mouth, and taught them.» Such grand things as he had to say ought to come from open portals, so he mumbled not, but» opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,»
Matthew 5:3. Blessed are the poor in spirit: for their's is the kingdom of heaven.
«Blessed.» See how Jesus begins his Sermon on the Mount, he begins with benedictions. He is a cloud that is full of rain, and that empties itself upon the earth. The moment you begin to know Christ, you begin to have blessings; and the more you know of him, the more blessed you will be. «Blessed are the poor in spirit:» not those who boast themselves of spiritual riches and personal goodness, but the lowly, the meek, the trembling, the humble, the poor in spirit, «for their's is the kingdom of heaven.»
Matthew 5:4. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Let them be comforted now in the prospect of future comfort. There are no mourning hearts that mourn over sin, and mourn after God, that shall be deserted by their God: «they shall be comforted.»
Matthew 5:5. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
They do in the truest sense enjoy even this life; their contented spirit makes them monarchs. The great man, with all his wealth, is often uneasy with a craving ambition for more; but the quiet spirits of God's people find a kingdom everywhere. The mountains and the valleys belong really to him who can, with happy eye, look upon them, and then lift his face to heaven, and feel, «My Father made them all.»
Matthew 5:6. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness:
They want to be better; they are hungry and thirsty after more holiness. They boast not of personal perfection, they are hungering and thirsting after righteousness, but they have not attained to it yet.
Matthew 5:6. For they shall be filled.
God will fill them; and when he fills men with his fullness, they are full indeed.
Matthew 5:7. Blessed are the merciful:
The forgiving, the generous, the kind: «Blessed are the merciful:»
Matthew 5:7-8. For they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
There is such a connection between purity of heart and purity of understanding that the man whose eye is clarified by holiness shall see God.
Matthew 5:9. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
They shall not only be the children of God, but people shall call them by that name. There is something so Godlike in trying to put away discord, and to remove anger, and to promote love, that it makes men feel that peacemakers must be the children of God.
Matthew 5:10-11. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
It is not when men truthfully speak evil concerning you, but when they say it falsely; not when they say evil against you because of your ill tempers which provoke them, but when they do it falsely, for Christ's sake, then, «blessed are ye.»
Matthew 5:12. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
And you are treading in their steps, so you are entering into their heritage. You have your beginning with them, and you shall have your end with them. If persecuted with them, you shall also reign with them.
This exposition consisted of readings from Psalms 149:1.; and Matthew 5:1-12.