way, take heed to My words:  Everything that you wish to be done unto you, that do unto others.  Now, My brothers and sisters, in the land of our fathers, let those of you who must return to your work, return and ponder on the message I have brought you.  Every one who has heard it, and does not live according to it, is like the man who builds his house on sand; but he who lives in accordance with this teaching builds his house on the rocks, and no storm can destroy it.  The words that I deliver to you in the name of the Heavenly Father will outlast all the wisdom of the earth.  He who hears and does not heed is lost to Me; he who follows My teaching will attain eternal life.”

Thus ended the speech which became one of the greatest events of the world.  Many were terrified by the concluding sentences, for they heard the word but were too weak to follow it.  Their cowardice did not escape Jesus, and because He could not let any depart uncomforted, they seemed to hear Him murmur:  “The Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who untiringly reach out after it.  Blessed are the weak whose will is good.”

CHAPTER XVIII

That Sabbath of the Sermon on the Mount became a most important day.  When Jesus made an end of speaking, the people did not disperse, but pressed round Him to kiss the hem of His garment.  Many who until then had been in despair could not tear themselves from Him.  They wished to follow Him wherever He went, and to share His destiny.  Whatever He might say to the contrary, that destiny, they felt sure, would be brilliant.  Was He not tearing the masses from earthly thoughts that formed their curse.  All they heard was His counsel upon absence of anxiety.  But what would it be when He revealed the universal power of the Messiah?  Many said that the Sermon on the Mount was a trial of strength intended to steel the will for the holy struggle for the Kingdom of the Messiah that was now to be established on earth.

People came out of Judaea; they hastened from the valley of the Jordan; they streamed from the hills.  They came from the seaports of Tyre and Sidon, and some even came from lands far beyond the sea in order to discover if what the people on all sides were saying was true.  They brought asses and camels, laden with gifts, and Jesus accepted what He and His friends needed, but declined the rest or divided it among the people.  For there were many among His followers who were starving, His word being all their sustenance.  And sick persons began to drag themselves to Him so that He might heal and comfort them.  But the more they heard of miracles wrought on the sick and crippled, the more miracles they desired, so that He grew angry, and reminded them that He did not come on account of their bodies but of their souls.  Moreover, He pointed out to them that He was not the Messiah from whom men expected deliverance and the establishment of the kingdom of the Jews.