Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB
[graphic]

saying,

X.

GOD'S WAY.

2ND seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him. And he opened his mouth, and taught them,

[merged small][ocr errors]

"Blessed," -fit beginning of the first recorded public discourse of Him whose life on earth was the blessing of the world.

In following those sacred feet over the hills of Judæa, we see that their constant errand was one of love. It was not alone that great, mysterious love wherewith he loved us before the world was, but the steadfast, human love, the love of the man-Christ, the tenderness which displayed itself constantly in every-day life, which no coldness. could chill, no stupidity tire, no perversity lessen,

[ocr errors]

a tenderness which it should be our strongest purpose to imitate, as it is our highest privilege to share.

And the common people heard him gladly. Great multitudes followed him. Populous Galilee, stranger Decapolis, Jerusalem, queen city of Judæa, and the Pagan countries that lay beyond Jordan, poured out their myriads to listen to the words of one who spake as never man spake. From lanes and alleys, from the purlieus of poverty and vice, from the Ann Streets, the Five Points, the St. Giles's of Palestine they came, the poor, famishing people, overborne in the great world-battle, over-weary with laboring up the Difficult hills; the obscure, ignorant, sad-eyed people, with whom life had been but a losing game, who, through weakness and wickedness had made little headway, they came flocking around this new light whose soft shining had glimmered down even to them. They brought their sick to this wonderful Jesus, whom a vague rumor called the Christ, and he healed them. They brought their little children, and he laid loving hands upon their drooping heads, and blessed them. Strange words of cheer fell upon their sorrowful hearts, - tender, consoling, hopeful, helpful words. "That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven." Poor and miserable and blind and naked, -despised of the great ones of the earth, domineered over by the chief priests and Pharisees, could they be the children of the Lord of heaven? How sweetly on their anxious, care-worn hearts fall the affectionate words, "Take no thought for the mor

shall be

row. Your Heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things." There are strong men standing before him, faint with the burden. and heat of the day, and his loving heart bids them "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." There is comfort and help for all. None are sent empty away. None are so insignificant that he passes them by. No service is so lowly that he will not glorify it. Only a cup of cold water to the least of these little ones shall have its reward, laid to the account of the King of kings. None are so great, so rich, so renowned, that he bids. them trust to their greatness, their riches, their renown. When they come to him in trouble, he takes them just as readily to the arms of his loving-kindness. The outcast, loathsome leper feels a wild hope leap up in his heart, yet dares not ask the boon he craves, but, bowing, humbly worships the omnipotent Teacher. "Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean." "I will; be thou clean,” is the instant response, and at one gentle touch the leper arises a new man. The ruler turns to Jesus, if perhaps his young daughter, lying already dead, may be restored to his arms, and Jesus takes the cold hand in his, and life pulses once more through the veins. Mind and body claim alike his care. A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, he bears in his own the sorrow and the griefs of all other hearts. He says

66

[ocr errors]

to the palsied cripple, "Son, be of good cheer," to the long-suffering woman, "Daughter, be of good comfort."

He never brake the bruised reed, nor quenched the smoking flax. When his disciples, small in wisdom, small as yet in faith, were terrified at his miraculous approach, he did not even chide them that their long intercourse with him had not given them more confidence. He remembered that they were dust, and hastened to reassure them. "Be of good cheer. It is I, be not afraid." He knew that the truth must be admitted little by little. "All men cannot receive this saying." Even in the hour of parting he repressed the throbbing of his full heart in compassion for their weakness. "I have many things to say to you, but ye cannot bear them now." Where men saw nothing to pity, he pitied. The disciples never dreamed that it concerned them whether the multitudes who hung upon their master's words were hungry or not, but the Master had compassion on them because they had nothing to eat, and he would not send them away fasting. Importunity did not vex him. The blind men clamored so loudly and persistently, that the crowd around were shocked at the indecorum; but Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes. Hatred did not inflame him. Even while pronouncing the death-doom of the wicked city which had killed his prophets, stoned his messengers, and should yet crucify him

self, he wept over it, yearning with more than motherly love. Treachery could not alienate him. For Peter's shameful weakness, desertion, and denial there was only the earnest question, "Lovest thou me?" Trouble could not move him to selfishness. In the last hours, when his soul was exceeding sorrowful, even unto death, and his human heart craved human sympathy and found it not, even then his gentle reproach sighed itself into tender excusing, "The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." And notwithstanding all coldness, indifference, misunderstanding, betrayal, his last bequest was love. "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world," and while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.

[ocr errors]

Well might the common people hear him gladly, him who made the lowliest among them kings and priests unto God. Well might they stand around him, a living breastwork against the hostile Pharisees. Well might they come unto him, and seek him, and stay him, that he should not depart from them. Well might they spread their garments in the way, and ring out his triumphant entry into the Beautiful City, "Hosanna to the Son of David! blessed is he that cometh in Hosanna in the highest!" I see no reason why Christianity should not be advanced in the world in precisely the same ratio as Christian teachers follow the example of Christ:

the name of the Lord.

« AnteriorContinuar »