40
Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing
goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity
and transgression and sin.”
Exodus 34:6, 7
.
The law given upon Sinai was the enunciation of the principle of
love, a revelation to earth of the law of heaven. It was ordained in the
hand of a Mediator—spoken by Him through whose power the hearts
of men could be brought into harmony with its principles. God had
revealed the purpose of the law when He declared to Israel, “Ye shall
be holy men unto Me.”
Exodus 22:31
.
But Israel had not perceived the spiritual nature of the law, and
too often their professed obedience was but an observance of forms
and ceremonies, rather than a surrender of the heart to the sovereignty
of love. As Jesus in His character and work represented to men the
holy, benevolent, and paternal attributes of God, and presented the
worthlessness of mere ceremonial obedience, the Jewish leaders did
not receive or understand His words. They thought that He dwelt too
lightly upon the requirements of the law; and when He set before them
the very truths that were the soul of their divinely appointed service,
they, looking only at the external, accused Him of seeking to overthrow
it.
The words of Christ, though calmly spoken, were uttered with
an earnestness and power that stirred the hearts of the people. They
listened for a repetition of the lifeless traditions and exactions of the
[47]
rabbis, but in vain. They “were astonished at His teaching: for He
taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.”
Matthew
7:29
, R.V. The Pharisees noted the vast difference between their
manner of instruction and that of Christ. They saw that the majesty
and purity and beauty of the truth, with its deep and gentle influence,
was taking firm hold upon many minds. The Saviour’s divine love
and tenderness drew the hearts of men to Him. The rabbis saw that by
His teaching the whole tenor of the instruction they had given to the
people was set at nought. He was tearing down the partition wall that
had been so flattering to their pride and exclusiveness; and they feared
that, if permitted, He would draw the people entirely away from them.
Therefore they followed Him with determined hostility, hoping to find
some occasion for bringing Him into disfavor with the multitudes and
thus enabling the Sanhedrin to secure His condemnation and death.
On the mount, Jesus was closely watched by spies; and as He
unfolded the principles of righteousness, the Pharisees caused it to be