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Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing
When love fills the heart, it will flow out to others, not because of
favors received from them, but because love is the principle of action.
Love modifies the character, governs the impulses, subdues enmity,
and ennobles the affections. This love is as broad as the universe, and
is in harmony with that of the angel workers. Cherished in the heart,
it sweetens the entire life and sheds its blessing upon all around. It is
this, and this only, that can make us the salt of the earth.
“Ye are the light of the world.”—Matthew 5:14.
As Jesus taught the people, He made His lessons interesting and
held the attention of His hearers by frequent illustrations from the
scenes of nature about them. The people had come together while it
was yet morning. The glorious sun, climbing higher and higher in the
blue sky, was chasing away the shadows that lurked in the valleys and
among the narrow defiles of the mountains. The glory of the eastern
heavens had not yet faded out. The sunlight flooded the land with its
splendor; the placid surface of the lake reflected the golden light and
mirrored the rosy clouds of morning. Every bud and flower and leafy
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spray glistened with dewdrops. Nature smiled under the benediction
of a new day, and the birds sang sweetly among the trees. The Saviour
looked upon the company before Him, and then to the rising sun,
and said to His disciples, “Ye are the light of the world.” As the sun
goes forth on its errand of love, dispelling the shades of night and
awakening the world to life, so the followers of Christ are to go forth
on their mission, diffusing the light of heaven upon those who are in
the darkness of error and sin.
In the brilliant light of the morning, the towns and villages upon
the surrounding hills stood forth clearly, making an attractive feature
of the scene. Pointing to them, Jesus said, “A city set on a hill cannot
be hid.” And He added, “Neither do men light a lamp, and put it
under the bushel, but on the stand; and it shineth unto all that are in
the house.” R.V. Most of those who listened to the words of Jesus
were peasants and fishermen whose lowly dwellings contained but one
room, in which the single lamp on its stand shone to all in the house.
Even so, said Jesus, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may
see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”