Matthew 5:1, 2 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came to him:… Christ magnified the Law, and honoured the sabbath. On the sabbath he wrought many of his miracles and uttered many of his parables. So, after spending the night in prayer, on the sabbath he delivered his sermon on the mount. The preparation for that discourse is the subject of the text. In order to a great sermon there should be - I. A SUITABLE PLACE. 1. Noble edifices have been raised by the piety of men. (1) Even heathenism has its gorgeous temples - ancient; modern. (2) Wonderful cathedrals have been raised - in England; on the continent of Europe. (3) Solomon's temple must have exceeded all others in magnificence. The plan was Divine. The workmen were inspired. 2. Here was a cathedral worthy of the occasion. (1) The roofing. The blue dome so vast as to bound the range of sight. So wonderfully constituted that wherever we go we are still in its very centre. (2) The pavement. It is set in mosaics of living foliage and flowers of ever-varying form and hue. Each tessellation will bear the microscope, and under its scrutiny discover inexhaustible beauties and glories. (3) The lighting. The sun is the one sufficient lamp. The electric light looks black upon its disc. The glories of the night are lost in its brightness. (4) The pulpit. The "mountain." Mountains had been chosen theatres of memorable events - Eden, Ararat, Horeb, Sinai, Hor, Nebo, Zion, Carmel. The New Testament also had its mountains - Tabor, Calvary, Olivet, Zion, this mount. (5) The consecration. Human consecrations have their uses. Sometimes their abuses to superstition. Divine consecration is essential. The whole earth was consecrated to preaching by the sermon on the mount. Open-air preaching has the highest sanction and encouragement. II. A SUITABLE CONGREGATION. 1. Here were multitudes. (1) In actual presence. Not multitudes of mere units. Immortal men. Tremendous destinies. Glorious possibilities. (2) In representative presence. Each person was the centre of a vast influence. Each individual represented a social series. 2. Multitudes with whom Jesus sympathized. "Seeing the multitudes," etc. (1) He estimated their personal value as no one else could. He paid the enormous price of their redemption. (2) He estimated their representative value as no one else could. He saw the end from the beginning. (3) How profoundly should we sympathize with men! Our neighbour with whom we converse. The heathen - at home; abroad. 3. Ever-increasing multitudes. (1) That congregation included all the congregations of Christendom from that time to the present. The sentences of the sermon upon the mount have echoed from millions of pulpits to hundreds of millions of men. (2) How many hundreds of millions yet unborn are destined to hear the echoes of the sermon on the mount! 4. Jesus teaches the world through his Churches. (1) "His disciples came unto him, and he opened his mouth and taught them. The disciples formed an inner circle. In the morning of this day, after the night of prayer, he had chosen from the large number of his disciples his twelve apostles (cf. Mark 3:13-19; Luke 6:12-49). (2) He taught the outside multitude in parables. To his disciples apart he revealed the mysteries of the kingdom. (3) So it is still. The natural man perceiveth not the things of the Spirit of God." We must become disciples of Jesus if we would learn the spiritual and saving truth of his doctrine. III. A SUITABLE PREACHER. 1. The sermon presupposes the preacher. (1) Great preachers are not made in universities. Universities have their uses. Learning is of very great importance. He that despises learning is a fool. (2) God's ministers are raised up and qualified by himself. The "Lord of the harvest" finds his "labourers." He gives them the spiritual qualification needed for spiritual work. (3) His people should "pray" him. 2. Christ was an incomparable Preacher. (1) The promised Messiah. As such attested by prophecy. (2) Heralded by the Baptist. "All men accounted John that he was a prophet indeed." (3) Approved by heavenly signs. The wonders at his birth. The voice of the God of glory at his baptism. (4) Self-authenticated by miracles. Turning water into wine at Cana (John 2:1-11). Driving the hucksters out of the temple at Jerusalem (John 2:13-22). Working many wonders in Galilee (Matthew 4:12-24). 3. He claim, all attention. (1) "When he was set," viz. according to the custom of the Jewish doctors. "Sitting" among the rabbins is synonymous with teaching. The assumption of that posture was a claim for respect. This claim sets forth the value of knowledge. No such knowledge as the knowledge of God. (2) "He opened his mouth and taught." "Man is the mouth of creation, Christ is the mouth of humanity" (Lange). (3) Here is an admirable case. He had perfect knowledge of man's ignorance and need. Also of heaven's secrets. His human intelligence was radiated by the Divine. (4) Here also is an idea of profusion. Teaching wells from his lips as from a fountain. It is gracious teaching. "Grace is poured upon his lips." Beatitudes stream forth. Let us learn from the lips of Jesus. Search his Word. Invoke his Spirit. - J.A.M. Parallel Verses KJV: And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: |
    |