The Commandments and the Beatitudes
In the introduction to John's Gospel, John the Baptist is spoken of as a man with a message from God. He knew of the light shining in darkness, that is, uncomprehended by men, and his business was to testify regarding "the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." The Gospel affirms the right of mankind to be enlightened regarding sonship with God, and says that those willing to receive the Christ shall be given "power to become the sons of God." From a modern translation is taken the rendering of what follows the above statement: "It was not to natural conception, nor to human instincts, nor to any man's choice, but to God himself that they owed this Life."
Teaching by means of beatitudes is often far beyond the comprehension of what is spoken of as the natural man, the one guided by selfish choice and human instincts; consequently, the first correction or betterment which some need to have comes from the law saying, "Thou shalt not."
By Moses came the Ten Commandments suitable for checking the idolatrous tendencies of the tribal crowd and the following "mixed multitude" he was trying to train and discipline. It was necessary to forbid the disorders of the selfish, unclean, envious, lying, and murderous carnal mentality. In Moses' absence upon Sinai's peak, Aaron made the Israelites an image of gold which they surrounded in lewd and drunken dances. When Moses saw the people in their shame, he felt that police duty was necessary. He "stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the Lord's side?" Then he commissioned the sons of Levi who rallied to him to put in effect the discipline of the sword. Later, rules were given for feasts and sacrifices and ceremonies of reverence for the unseen God; and full directions for the decent behavior of men. Cities of refuge protected the innocent slayer from the avenger of blood. Laws were specifically made to protect the home. There was to be justice to the hireling and charity to the fatherless. The ox was not to be muzzled when treading out the corn. Avarice was rebuked for its injustice, "making the ephah small, and the shekel great," according to the prophet Amos.
Of course, the gentle heart out of it own good will would regard all these things, but the ungentle and the arrogant had to be corrected. Paul explained in his letter to the Galatians how "the law" did not produce a better life; though it might check the wrongdoer it did not produce righteousness. He uses a very significant figure, saying: "The law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." The pedagogue was the trusted slave who attended the younger children of his master and conducted them to school. Perhaps with less kindliness "the law" insists on correction; but those who learn how to behave by obeying the doctrine of Christ are free from interference of "the law." To the obedient it has no restriction.
The law of the earlier time was harsh—an eye for an eye, a life for a life; so Jesus introduced a new outlook whereby one could avoid unjust penalty, overcome enmity, and expand life and joy. The motto, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy," was imperfect. Often had men heard that, but the Master's words were, "I say unto you, Love your enemies." A man cannot be sure of his good will unless he can govern himself so as to exhibit love in the most difficult cases, such as the case of the unreconciled enemy, the one who hates without a cause, or the slanderer who can lie plausibly and make men hate their benefactors. Never-theless, those who obey the Master become winners of mastery in life and find blessedness.
Much of the teaching of Jesus was in the form of beatitudes. There is quite a difference between the law taking cognizance of evil modes and saying, "Thou shalt not," and the words in the Sermon on the Mount, "Blessed are ye." To avoid theft, covetousness, murder, lust, and lying is necessary for society, but to love is necessary for oneself. Love, bless, do good, pray, Jesus said, "that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust," and, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."
Mrs. Eddy, as the Teacher of Christian Science, gives "line upon line," "precept upon precept," beatitudes too; and how clear and uplifting are her beatitudes! "The nature of Christianity is peaceful and blessed," she says; and specifically, "Blessed is that man who seeth his brother's need and supplieth it, seeking his own in another's good" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, pp. 40, 518). No one can know—it is beyond the telling—how many times and in how many ways she foresaw the needs of humanity and provided ways and methods for supplying these needs for now and for centuries to be. But every individual worker can have an inner exultance and joy in discerning her wisdom, obeying her genius, and carrying out her life purpose so that the light, the true light, may enlighten every man, and so make "wars to cease unto the end of the earth."
Copyright, 1935, by The Christian Science Publishing Society, One, Norway Street, Boston, Massachusetts. Entered at Boston post office as second-class matter. Acceptance for mailing at a special rate of postage provided for in section 1103, Act of October 3, 1917, authorized on July 11, 1918.
