By the Lake of Galilee there is rising ground, situated near several
villages on the borders of the lake, where it is believed the Lord
Jesus spoke those wonderful words which are called "The Sermon on the
Mount."
Travellers who have been to this spot tell us that the rising,
rocky ground, which is called "The Horns of Hattin," would be a
most convenient place for any one who was speaking to large numbers
of people. And it is here, it is thought, our Lord, "seeing the
multitudes" who had followed Him from the villages beneath the
mountain, spoke to them of the blessings which they might possess if
they kept His words; and explained to them the duties which were laid
upon those who loved Him, and the blessings in store for them.
In an earthly school, the children are told of the prizes which will
be given for earnest endeavour; and each one on entering the school is
able to read the list of these rewards, and the conditions which are
attached to them.
We all understand more or less of this earthly competition—this great
endeavour to do our best, to see some result of our hard work, to have
the joy of receiving a prize or of earning the approbation of the
master who helps us to the attainment of our ideal.
This is in an earthly school—now we are going to turn to the heavenly
side of life.
So when our Lord Jesus Christ, from that rocky eminence raised above
the multitude, spoke to them and said—
"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven—"
It seems to me that there is hidden in His words a Promise; and also a
Way made plain, to obtain the Prize.
So the first "Blessed" is:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit"; and the promise is: "For theirs is
the Kingdom of Heaven."
"The poor in spirit" does not mean a weak man, but one who knows how
likely he is to fail, and therefore does not trust in himself or his
pride, but looks up into God's face, instead of into his own faulty
doings.
In a little country town in the West of England, about a hundred years
ago, there lived a man who was spoken of as "half-witted." He was a
general favourite; but if, at any time, he was twitted by the boys, or
good-humouredly questioned by older people, his invariable answer was—
"I'm a poor Sinner, and nothing at all;
But Jesus Christ is my All-in-All."
Whatever else he had missed, he had learned the blessedness of being
"poor in spirit," and his reward has been, for many a long day, an
entrance into "the Kingdom of Heaven."
"Thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, Whose name
is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a
contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to
revive the heart of the contrite ones."