From the Choosing of the Twelve, June A. D, 28, to the Sermon on the Bread of Life, April, A. D. 29; 10 Months.

I. THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT (Matt. 5:1 -8:1; Luke 6:20-49).- With the twelve chosen apostles standing with him on the Mount of Beatitudes (Horns of Hattin) and in the hearing of all the people Jesus delivers to them the constitution of this new spiritual kingdom which they are to proclaim to the world. Jesus had spent the night in prayer before choosing his embassadors and setting them apart to their solemn duties. In this wonderful sermon he makes a full statement of the constitution of the church and of the principles on which his kingdom was established. There is nothing in the literature of the world that can be compared with this sermon. If we did not have Christ's miracles and his resurrection we could find ample proof that Jesus was a teacher come from God by studying this discourse.

The sermon opens with the Beatitudes. He shows us what kind of persons we must be in order to receive the blessings. The poor in spirit are sensible of their poverty and long for a better spiritual state. When we recognize our poverty and sinfulness we become known as Christian mourners. The meek are opposed to arrogance, dominion and power. Hunger and thirst express our most impetuous appetites, and here show what deep anxiety we should have for righteousness. The merciful are willing to forgive offenses, so God can exercise his mercy. The pure in heart can see God by faith and are conscious of his continuous presence. The peacemakers are making reconciliation between men, and make it their business constantly to introduce peace. To obtain the blessings we must be in possession of all these great truths. He gives in outline the great truths they are to teach, pointing out the only way of happiness, which leads into the kingdom of heaven; urging their obedience to the laws of the kingdom and warning them of the danger of remaining without the kingdom. The sermon is full of practical things for the Christian, and we have gathered only a few under the above heading. It will take a lifetime to study and practice this sermon, to become what Jesus said, "perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect."

The following is an outline of the sermon and is worthy of careful and prayerful study by every follower of Jesus. The outline presented here is found in the Author's " Harmony of the Four Gospels."

1. Christ's Disciples.

(1) The Beatitudes.

(2) The Relation of Christ's Disciples to the World.

2. Christ and the Law.

(1) The Fulfillment of the Law.

(2) Law against Murder.

(3) The Law of Adultery.

(4) The Law of Divorce.

(5) The Law of Oaths.

(6) The Law of Retaliation.

(7) The Law of Love.

3. Warning against Hypocrisy.

(1) Hypocrisy in Almsgiving.

(2) Hypocrisy in Praying.

(3) Hypocrisy in Fasting.

4. Warning against Worldliness.

(1) The Unsafe Deposit.

(2) The Two Masters.

(3) The Worldly Anxiety.

5. Golden Precepts.

(1) The Mote and the Beam.

(2) The Pearls before Swine.

(3) Asking and Receiving.

(4) The Golden Rule.

6. The Way of Life.

(1) The Strait Gate.

(2) The False Prophets Detected.

(3) False Hopes.

(4) The Two Foundations.

7. The Effect of the Sermon.

II. HEALING THE CENTURION'S SERVANT (Matt. 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10). After concluding the Sermon on the Mount Jesus returned again to Capernaum, and as he was entering the city, Jewish elders of a synagogue met him, pleading in behalf of a Roman centurion whose slave was at the point of death. Although Jews usually hated the Romans, this centurion had built them a synagogue, and the Jews loved him. Jesus heard their request and set out for the centurion's home, but on the way he met messengers from the centurion who bade him speak the word only and the servant would be healed. Jesus commended this remarkable faith and healed the servant.

III. RAISING THE WIDOW'S SON (Luke 7:11-17). The next day Jesus set out on his second preaching tour in Galilee, accompanied by the apostles and others. They drew near the village of Nain, where they saw a funeral procession coming from the village. The only son of a widow was being carried to the grave, and Jesus, moved with compassion at the mother's grief, bade her cease weeping, and then he touched the bier and at his bidding the young man sat up and began to speak. The mother received her son restored to life and Jesus went into the city.

IV. JOHN THE BAPTIST'S LAST MESSAGE (Matt. 11:2-6; Luke 7:18-35). John was still in prison, and when he heard of the mighty miracles Jesus wrought, he sent messengers to inquire whether he really was the Christ, no doubt wondering why he did not set up his Kingdom, release him from prison and punish those who opposed them. Jesus wrought miracles of healing, of casting out demons and of restoring sight to the blind, and bade the messengers tell John what they had seen. After these messengers departed Jesus declared to the people that John was the greatest of the prophets, the true Elias sent to prepare the way for the Messiah.

V. THE FIRST ANOINTING OF JESUS (Luke 7:36-50). While Jesus was traveling in Galilee he received an invitation to dine with Simon, a Pharisee, and as they were eating there entered a sinful woman who stood behind Jesus as they reclined at the table. She washed his feet with her tears, anointing them with costly ointment, and wiped them with her hair. Simon reproached Jesus for allowing such a woman to touch him, but Jesus replied with the parable of the two debtors indicating the ungratefulness of Simon and showing that there is hope for even the most degraded. Then turning to the woman he bade her go in peace, for her faith had saved her and her sins were all forgiven.

VI. COMPANIONS ON SECOND PREACHING TOUR (Luke 8:1-3). Jesus continued his preaching among the villages of Galilee, accompanied by the twelve and by a number of women who had been converted. Great multitudes thronged him wherever he went.

VII. WARNING TO THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES (Matt. 12:22-45; Mark 3:20-30; Luke n:14-36). While Jesus was growing in favor among the people, the hostility of the Scribes and Pharisees was becoming mare bitter against him. At the close of his preaching tour he entered Capernaum, and there, as he was casting out a devil from a dumb demoniac, they openly avowed that he received his power from Beelzebub, the chief of devils. Such a charge brought from the Savior's lips a fearful denunciation and he warned them against the terrible sin of blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, which can never be forgiven.

VIII. CHRIST'S TRUE KINDRED (Matt. 12:46-50; Mark 3:31-35; Luke 18:19-21). As Jesus was uttering these denunciations and warnings, his mother and brethren, probably fearing for his life, came to the door and asked to see him. When Jesus received the message he declared all those who hear and do the work of God are his true kindred.

IX. THE PARABLES BY THE SEA (Matt. 13:1-53). In the evening of the day of this open rupture with the Pharisees, Jesus withdrew to the sea side, followed by a great multitude. They crowded about him so much that he sat down in one of the fishing boats, and pushing out a little from the shore taught them in a series of parables illustrating the growth and nature of the kingdom of God. In these parables the Savior has a special lesson that he aims to teach in each one. A number of lessons may be drawn from the teaching of the parables, but the student should be very careful to get the lesson the Savior meant to teach.

Parable of the Sower. The different places in which the seed fell represent different classes of persons who hear the Word of God. The parable shows how the Word of God would be dealt with by four classes of hearers. It warns against the examples of three of them and stimulates us to imitate the fourth.

Parable of the Tares. The field in which the seeds were sown represents the world of mankind. The man who sowed good seed represents Jesus. The enemy who sowed the tares, the devil; the good seed, the Christians; the tares, all the wicked people; the reapers, the angels, and the harvest the end of the world.

Parable of the Mustard Seed. The kingdom of heaven, like this seed, was very small in its beginning, when Jesus organized the church, but since it has become a very great kingdom.

Parable of the Leaven. The kingdom of heaven is like the leaven, in that it spreads itself in like manner through humanity.

Parable of the Hid Treasure. This treasure brings joy to every sinner when he finds it, and with eagerness he goes forth to sell all other possessions in order to come in possession of it.

Parable of the Pearls. This man already had some pearls he prized very highly, and now when he finds this pearl of great price he disposes of all former ones to obtain it. He had great values already sought, but is willing to give up those for this one.

Parable of the Net. At the end of the world the angels shall sever the wicked from among the just and cast them into the furnace of fire. In this he refers only to the wicked in the church. So at the end of the world there will be a separation even of those who are in the church.

X. STILLING THE TEMPEST (Matt. 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25). When evening came Jesus sent the multitude away and suggested that he and the disciples go to the other side of the sea where they might find rest. Wearied with the labors and trials of the day, he soon fell asleep, when suddenly a violent storm burst upon them and the waves almost overwhelmed the boat. The disciples quickly wakened their Master and he arose, quietly rebuked the wind and the waves, and the storm ceased. In the morning they reached the other side, and the disciples wondered at his power, that even the winds and the waves obeyed him.

XI. HEALING THE DEMONIACS (Matt. 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-36). In the country of the Gadarenes, east of the Sea of Galilee, they met two demoniacs, sp fierce that men could not pass that way. They dwelt in the tombs and often cried out and cut themselves with stones. When they saw Jesus they fell down before him and worshiped him. The devils asked Jesus not to drive them out of the country, but to suffer them to enter into a herd of swine near by. The Savior cast out the demons and they entered the two thousand swine; and the swine rushed wildly into the lake and were drowned j while the men were clothed and in their right minds. The keepers of the herd were terrified and quickly spread the news over the community, and soon nearly all the inhabitants came and begged Jesus to depart from them.

XII. HEALING THE WOMAN AND RAISING JAIRUS' DAUGHTER (Matt. 9:18, 19; Mark 5:21-24; Luke 8:40-56). Jesus returned to Capernaum and found a great multitude awaiting him. Among them was Jairus, a ruler of the Jews, who urged him to hasten to his little daughter who lay at the point of death. But the eager crowd pressed upon Jesus, and one afflicted woman, who had suffered many years, touched the hem of his garment in hope of being cured. Jesus felt this touch of faith and inquired who touched him. The woman fell trembling at his feet and confessed what she had done. Jesus bade her go in peace, for her faith had made her whole. But meanwhile the daughter of Jairus had died, and servants came to tell Jairus he need trouble the Master no further. But Jesus bade him believe, and they hastened towards the house, where hired mourners were waiting. Jesus put them all out of the chamber where the dead girl lay, though these laughed him to scorn. Jesus in the presence of the parents, Peter, James and John, restored her to life.

XIII. HEALING TWO BLIND MEN (Matt. 9:27-31). When Jesus left the house of Jairus two blind men followed

him and cried for mercy. Jesus asked whether they believed that he could heal them and when they said they did, he touched their eyes and their sight was restored.

XIV. HEALING THE DUMB MAN (Matt. 9:32-34). When he left the blind men he met a dumb man, possessed with a devil, and he cast out the devil and the man spake.

XV. THE SECOND REJECTION AT NAZARETH (Matt. 13:54-58; Mark 6:1-5). Jesus appeared again at the synagogue at Nazareth, thus giving the people of his own town another opportunity to accept him. But the miracle and mighty works did not arouse faith in them, and though they did not attempt to take his life they recalled his humble birth and stubbornly refused to believe on him. Marveling at their unbelief, he healed a few sick folk and departed from the synagogue.

XVI. THE THIRD PREACHING TOUR (Matt. 9:35; Mark 6:6). Being rejected at Nazareth, the next day Jesus began to preach and heal in the villages of Galilee.

XVII. THE MISSION OF THE TWELVE (Matt. 9:36-11:i; Mark 6:7-13; Luke 9:1-6). When Jesus saw the needy multitude in the. cities and villages he called his apostles and, giving them power over evil spirits, sent them out two by two to preach, to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, the near approach of the kingdom of heaven. This was their first experience of preaching and healing as commissioned by Jesus. Six companies of missionaries besides Jesus himself went forth among the cities of Galilee preaching the good news.

XVIII. THE DEATH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST (Matt. 14:1-12; Mark 6:14-29; Luke 9:7-9). Meanwhile John the Baptist had suffered martyrdom in the prison at Macherus. Herodias had long desired his death, but Herod dared not lay his hands upon him on account of the people. But at a feast, Salome the daughter of Herodias danced, and so pleased Herod that he promised her anything she might ask. At the instigation of her mother she asked for the head of John, and the king, ashamed to break his oath, ordered the fearless preacher beheaded.

XIX. FEEDING THE FIVE THOUSAND (Matt. 14:13-23; Mark 6:30-46; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-15). When Jesus and the apostles gathered at Capernaum, the apostles related the success of their work in Galilee, and having just received the sad news of John's death, Jesus suggested that they withdraw to the other side of the sea. They went in a desert place near Bethsaida, hoping to find rest, but it was about the time for the Passover and many people who were on the way to Jerusalem gathered about Jesus. Jesus was moved with compassion at the sight of the multitudes, and he taught them, and when the disciples would send them away to get something to eat Jesus asked what food they had. They found a lad who had five loaves and two fishes, and taking these Jesus blessed the bread and brake it and gave to the disciples, and the five thousand men, besides the women and children, were fed and twelve baskets of fragments remained. This wonderful miracle impressed the people greatly and they would have made Jesus king (John 6:24), but Jesus sent them away and constrained his disciples to take ship and return to Capernaum. Jesus himself went into a mountain to a solitary place to pray.

XX. WALKING ON THE WATER (Matt. 14:24-33; Mark 6:47-52; John 6:16-21). The apostles, meanwhile, had been overtaken by a sudden storm, and they struggled against the winds, but could not reach Capernaum. At the fourth watch of the night Jesus walked to them on the water. They were frightened, thinking that it must be a spirit. Jesus spoke to them and quelled their fears, and Peter asked to come to him on the water. Jesus bade him come, but when Peter saw the waves his heart failed him and he began to sink. Jesus reached out his hand and caught him, rebuking his lack of faith. They then went into the boat and the storm ceased.

XXI. MIRACLES OF HEALING (Matt. 14:34-36; Mark 6:53-56). As soon as Jesus came to the shore multitudes gathered about him on the plains of Gennesaret and Jesus there performed many miracles of healing.

XXII. THE DISCOURSE ON THE BREAD OF LIFE (John 6:22-71). Many of those who had witnessed the miracle of feeding the five thousand came over to Capernaum seeking Jesus. Knowing that he had not come with his disciples, they eagerly gathered about him in the synagogue of Capernaum and asked how he had come. Jesus rebuked them for their selfish seeking, saying it was the loaves and fishes that brought them. Jesus preached the great sermon on "The Bread of Life," saying that unless they ate the flesh of the Son of man and drank his blood they had no life. This was a hard saying for the people. They would not eat the Bread of Life, and so turned away from Jesus. The whole multitude who had pressed and crowded about him now forsook him, but the twelve apostles remained faithful.

QUESTIONS.

• With what date does this period open and close?
• Name the Beatitudes in their order.
• What is said about this sermon?
• Where did the Centurion's servant live?
• What had the Centurion done for the Jews?
• What miracle did Jesus perform at Nain?
• What was the Baptist's last message?
• What did Jesus tell these people after the messengers were gone?
• Where was Jesus first anointed?
• Why did the disciples rebuke him?
• Name the companions of the second preaching tour.
• What did he do after closing his preaching tour?
• What did he say to his own relatives?
• Name the parables by the sea.
• What does each parable teach?
• What was the purpose of these parables?
• How could Jesus sleep when the sea was so dangerous?
• Whom did they find in the country of the Gadarenes?
• How were they healed?
• What was the request of the demons?
• Where was Jairus's daughter raised to life?
• What was it that made her whole?
• Where were the two blind men healed, and how?
• Whom did he help next?
• How did the people of Nazareth receive him the second time?
• Give the mission of the twelve.
• Explain what they were to take.
• How many companies went?
• At whose death did they return?
• How many were fed northeast of the sea?
• What time of the year was it?
• What did he do for these people?
• How many baskets were filled?
• Why did Jesus go to the mountain?
• Where did he meet the disciples?
• Why did Peter not continue to walk on the water?
• Where did Jesus preach the sermon on the "Bread of Life"?
• For what did Jesus rebuke them?