On the Mountainside
11
the divine character of His mission, and the people also had received
evidence of His power which they could not question, the way was
[4]
prepared for an avowal of the principles of His kingdom that would
help them to comprehend its true nature.
Alone upon a mountain near the Sea of Galilee, Jesus had spent all
night in prayer for these chosen ones. At the dawn He called them to
Him, and, with words of prayer and instruction, laid His hands upon
their heads in benediction, setting them apart to the gospel work. Then
He repaired with them to the seaside, where in the early morning a
great multitude had already begun to assemble.
Besides the usual crowd from the Galilean towns, there were great
numbers from Judea, and from Jerusalem itself; from Perea, and from
the half-heathen population of Decapolis; from Idumea, away to the
south of Judea, and from Tyre and Sidon, the Phoenician cities on the
shore of the Mediterranean. “Hearing what great things He did,” they
“came to hear Him, and to be healed of their diseases; and ... power
came forth from Him, and healed them all.”
Mark 3:8
, R.V.;
Luke
6:17-19
, R.V.
Then, as the narrow beach did not afford even standing room
within reach of His voice for all who desired to hear Him, Jesus led the
way back to the mountainside. Reaching a level space that afforded a
pleasant gathering place for the vast assembly, He seated Himself upon
the grass, and His disciples and the multitude followed His example.
With a feeling that something more than usual might be expected,
the disciples had pressed about their Master. From the events of the
morning they gathered assurance that some announcement was about
[5]
to be made in regard to the kingdom which, as they fondly hoped, He
was soon to establish. A feeling of expectancy pervaded the multitude
also, and eager faces gave evidence of the deep interest.
As they sat upon the green hillside, awaiting the words of the
divine Teacher, their hearts were filled with thoughts of future glory.
There were scribes and Pharisees who looked forward to the day when
they should have dominion over the hated Romans and possess the
riches and splendor of the world’s great empire. The poor peasants
and fishermen hoped to hear the assurance that their wretched hovels,
the scanty food, the life of toil, and fear of want, were to be exchanged
for mansions of plenty and days of ease. In place of the one coarse
garment which was their covering by day and their blanket at night,