8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 8 Psa. 15. 1; Heb. 12. 14.-91 Cor. 13. 12; 1 John 3. 2, 3. 9 Blessed are 10 the peacemakers: for they shall be called the chil dren of God. 10 Heb. 12. 14. 10 Blessed 11 are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 112 Cor. 4. 17; 2 Tim. 2. 12; 1 Pet. 3. 14. 11 Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you a falsely, for my sake. a Lying. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. 13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14 Ye 12 are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 12 Prov. 4. 18; Phil. 2. 15. b 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. b Modius. It contained nearly a peck. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that 13 they may see your good works, and glorify 14 your Father which is in heaven. 131 Pet. 2. 12.-14 John 15. 8; 1 Cor. 14. 25. HOME READINGS. M. The miracle at Cana.. TRUTH .John 2. 1-11. Tu. Conversation with Nicodemus. John 3. 1-16. ..John 5. 1-19. TIME.-A. D. 27, in the second year of Christ's public ministry; more than a year after the events of the last lesson. Herod Antipas ruling as tetrarch in Galilee; Pontius Pilate, procurator of Judea; Tiberius Cæsar, emperor of Rome. PLACE.-Probably the mountain known as "The Horns of Hattin," in Galilee, seven miles south-west of Capernaum. CONNECTING LINKS.-The principal incidents after the temptation were: 1. The miracle at Caña. (John 2. 1-11.) 2. A visit to Jerusalem, at which occurred the first passover, the expulsion of the traders from the temple, and the interview with Nicodemus. (John 2. 13-3. 21.) 3. The return-journey to Galilee, during which took place the conversation with the woman of Samaria. John 4. 1-42.) 4. A journey through parts of Galilee, teaching and healing, during which occurred the miracle of the restoration of the nobleman's son. (Matt. 4. 17; John 4. 46-54.) 5. The rejection of Christ at Nazareth, and his removal to Capernaum. (Luke 4. 16-31; Matt. 4. 13-16.) 6. The miraculous draught of fishes, and the call of four disciples. (Luke 5. 1-11.) 7. Various miracles, and the first regular circuit of Galilee. (Luke 4. 31-5. 28.) 8. Christ's second passover at Jerusalem, with the miracle at Bethesda and its results. (John 5. 1-47.) 9. Return to Galilee, and healing of the withered hand at Capernaum, with other miracles. (Mark 2. 23-3. 12.) 10. The choice of the twelve apostles, (Luke 6. 12-19,) to whom, in the presence of many disciples, the Sermon on the Mount was preached. PARALLEL PASSAGE.-Luke 6. 20-26. EXPLANATIONS.-He went up-That those who desired might follow and hear, while those without special interest would stay away. Set -The ordinary posture for instruction. Taught them-Not only the twelve apostles, but the whole company of disciples. Poor in spiritThose who are humbly conscious of their own spiritual needs. Sorrow -In sorrow for sin. Comforted-By the knowledge of their forgiveness. Meek-The mild and gentle. Inherit the earth-Meaning "the land,' that is, the enjoyments of Christ's kingdom. Hunger and thirst-Intense, earnest desire after the right. Filled-Every one obtains as much goodness as he really wants. Pure in heart-Those whose aim is to be holy. Peacemakers-Those who prevent and heal quarrels. Persecuted-Injured, wronged, because they are followers of Jesus. Revile -Abuse, or speak contemptuously. Salt-As salt purifies and preserves, so do God's people in the world. Lost his savor-As sometimes happens with the salt of Palestine. Good for nothing-Of no use for any purpose. Light of the world-By possessing Christ, the true light. See your good works-Good deeds cannot be hid. Glorify your Father -Giving praise to him who inspires all our goodness. GOLDEN TEXT. LESSON HYMN. 8s & 6s. Lord, if thou didst thyself inspire Ye are the light of the world. Our souls with this intense desire Matt. 5. 14. OUTLINE. 1. The spirit of humility, v. 1-6. Thy goodness to proclaim; O let our love and faith abound; QUESTIONS ON THE LESSON. 1. The spirit of humility, v. 1-6; Isa. 57. 15. Where was this discourse delivered? Who are the poor in spirit? Why does God especially honor such? To whom? What kind of mourners receive blessing? Isa. 61. 3. What is the true meekness? What is it to hunger and thirst after righteousness? How is that hunger satisfied? 2. The spirit of purity, v. 7-9; Psa. 24. 3, 4. What is it to be pure in heart? How do the pure in heart see God here on earth? How shall they see him hereafter? 1 John 3. 2, 3. 3. The spirit of patience, v. 10-12; 1 Pet. 3. 13, 14. Why are God's people persecuted? Give some instances of persecuted saints. Why is it "blessed" for such to receive persecution? 4. The spirit of usefulness, v. 13-16; Phil. 2. 15. How are disciples lights in the world? What makes a Christian prominent among men? How may our good works glorify God? PRACTICAL TEACHINGS. What does this lesson teach 1. Concerning the privileges of a disciple? SUBJECTS FOR STUDY.-The blessings of the new dispensation compared with the old.... Christian character and Christian influence... The benefits of trouble.... The prominence and power of a disciple. THE LESSON CATECHISM.-(For the entire school.) 1. Where is found a summary of Christ's teachings? In the Sermon on the Mount. 2. With what does it commence? With a series of blessings. 3. In what does Jesus bid his disciples rejoice? In persecution and trouble. 4. What did Jesus call his disciples? The salt of the earth. 5. What did he command them? To shine as lights among men. DOCTRINAL SUGGESTION-Christian influence. A. D. 27.] LESSON VI. [Feb. 8. THE TRULY RIGHTEOUS; or, The Christian Standard. Matt. 5. 17-26. Commit to memory verses 17-20. 17 Think not that I am come to destroy the Law or the Prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. 1 Dan. 9. 24; Rom. 10. 4; Gal. 3. 24. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till 2 heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 2 Luke 16. 17. 19 Whosoever 3 therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 3 James 2. 10. 20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed 4the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Rom. 10. 3. 21 Ye have heard that it was said a by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment. a Or, to them.5 Exod. 20. 13. 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Ra'ca! shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool! shall be in danger of hell fire. 61 John 3. 15. That is, vain fellow. Or, graceless wretch; John 8. 44; Acts 13. 10. 23 Therefore, if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee: 7 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. 7 Job 42. 8; 1 Pet. 3. 7. 25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. 8 Job 22. 21; Prov. 25. 8; Heb. 3. 7.-9 Psa. 32. 6; Isa. 55. 6. 26 Verily I say unto thee, 10 Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. 102 Thess. 1. 9. HOME READINGS. M. The truly righteous... Tu. The ten commandments.. W. The keeping of the law. Th. The perfection of the law......Psa. 19. 1-14. TIME and PLACE.-See last lesson. CONNECTING LINKS.-The lesson is a part of the Sermon on the Mount, directly following the last lesson. EXPLANATIONS.-To destroy-Some feared, and others hoped, that Jesus would at once abolish the laws and customs of the Old Testament, and establish others. The law and the prophets-A general name for the Old Testament Scriptures. Fulfill-To obey the law, to accomplish the prophecies, and to unfold the meaning of the word. Verily Truly. One jot-The smallest letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Tittle-The mark by which one letter was distinguished from another. Even the least items of Scripture are sure of fulfillment. Least commandments-That which seems to be of small account in God's word. Teach men-By example and by word. Least in the kingdom-"The violator of the least shall himself be least." Your righteousnessYour standard of character, to which you try to attain. Exceed-The Pharisees aimed for an outward obedience, the Christian must aim for an inward obedience of the heart. Them of old time-The ancient explainers of the law. Danger of the judgment-Of trial before the court of law. But I say-Christ's authority is higher than that of the teachers. Angry-Anger is the source out of which murder springs. With his brother-All men are considered brothers. The judgmentNot of man, but of God. Raca-A word meaning "blockhead." council-A higher court than the one of "judgment;" meaning, that angry words deserve heavier punishment than angry thoughts. Thou fool-The word here implies a charge of wickedness and disbelief in God. Danger of hell fire—Of eternal death. Gift to the altar-With purpose of worship. Aught against thee-A just complaint for a real wrong. Leave there thy gift-Do not try to worship God while your heart is not right toward your fellow-man. Thine adversary-One with whom you have a quarrel. In the way-Without waiting for the decision of the law court. To the officer-The sheriff or officer in charge of prisoners. Farthing-A piece of money worth not quite half a cent. The C. M. If to the right or left we stray, Up into thee, our living Head, Till thou hast made us free indeed, QUESTIONS ON THE LESSON. 1. Jesus and the law, v. 17-19; Psa. 40. 6–8. What is meant by "the law and the prophets?" How did Christ fulfill the law? How did he fulfill the prophets? What was prophesied of Jesus in his relation to the law? Isa. 42. 21. |