Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-06-28
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Since great many of the lessons for
the past quarter have been taken from
the Sermon on the Mount, it may be
interesting and instructive as a review
lesson to consider that passage as a
whole. There is no doubt but that the
words are those of Jesus and that some
of them, probably all of them, were
spoken on a mount near Capernaum
That the arrangement of them, how
ever, is Matthew'S, and not as Jesus
spoke them, is also a matter of nc
doubt Luke, you recall, records many
of the same sayings, and says they
were spoken on a plain. Some have
tried to reconcile the apparent con-
flict by supposing two sermons deliv-
cred. The difficulty is all cleared up
however, when we appreciate that Mat
thew's purpose in writing this record
necessitates some such arrangement OF
the teachings of Jesus.
Matthew's story is logical rather than
chronological. He was seeking to prove
to the Jews that Jesus of Nazareth was
the Messiah of prophecy; therefore, he
develops the theme of the kingdom of
God, and shows how Jesus of Nazazretn
was the king. He arrays the words
and works Of Jesus as he knew them
in developing such a theme, he should
at the outset, as soon as possible, set
forth the principles, as Jesus taughl
them, that should govern the lives of
the subjects of the kingdom; to give, in
other words, the constitution of the
kingdom, or as It has been called the
manifesto of the king.
THE CONSTITUTION ANALYZED.
In carrying out his plan, Matthew
uses that form which will appeal to the
Jewish mind, since he is writing to the
Jews particularly. He constantly uses,
therefore, the number Z. For example,
in recording Christ's condemnation Of
the Pharisees: 'Woe unto you Phari-
sees, Scribes hypocrites," he records
seven of these. When he records Christ
beginning to teach by parallels there
are seven parallels. On another occa-
sion he records seven miracles. So here
as he gathers the teachings Of Jesus
together, and the form in which he pre-
sents them, one sees, without straining
a point falls into seven divisions.
Let US look at these divisions-remem-
bering that the collection which constI-
tutes the manifesto of the king, shows
the principles which should guide the
subjects of the kingdom, or the relation
which they must bear to various things.
Ine IlrSI 'ulNlSlOn~ IS IN en- D, VS., o-lZ.
1t is the relation of the subjects of the
kingdom TO happiness. We cannot study
that in detail now, but please note that
Chr:st's idea of happiness is exactly the
opposite of the idea which the world has.
Carry this through each one of the Beat
itudes, and YOU will appreciate the truth
Of this statement. 1t is an interesting
topic for careful study sometime
The second division is in CHI. 5, VS.. 1916
This gives the relation which the sub
JNcts of the kingdom bear to the world
Think through these metaphors of salt
and light which Jesus here uses; they are
so familiar that we are apt to lose the
significance of them some time; but there
is a world of truth in each of these
sentences. +
Tie third division, Is in Oh. 5. VS.. 17-4s
This gives the relation which the sub
jects of the kingdom bear to the law
Jesus takes up, ons after another, some
Of the laws about which they were dis
putting. ard in giving His Interpretation
Of them. gives depth of meaning which