ho take the popular side
on everything. Ultimately the verdict will be for those who are now poor
and underfed, who carry the heavy end of things, and who have to stand for
the unpopular side. In the report of the Beatitudes given by Matthew
(5:3-12) the terms are less social and more spiritual, and the contrast
between the upper and lower classes is not marked; but even there the
promise of the great reversal of things is to the humble and peaceable
folk, the hard hit and unpopular; they are to inherit the earth, and also
God's kingdom.

Would it make Jesus a wiser teacher and nobler figure if he had reversed
his sympathies?

Fifth Day: Salvation through the Common People

In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit, and said, I
thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou didst
hide these things from the wise and understanding, and didst
reveal them unto babes: yea, Father; for so it was well-pleasing
in thy sight.--Luke 10:21.

For behold your calling, brethren, that not many wise after the
flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: but God chose
the foolish things of the world, that he might put to shame them
that are wise; and God chose the weak things of the world, that he
might put to shame the things that are strong; and the base things
of the world, and the things that are despised, did God choose,
yea and the things that are not, that he might bring to nought the
things that are: that no flesh should glory before God.--1 Cor
1:26-29.

The actual results of his work proved to Jesus that his success was to be
with the simple-minded, and not with the pundit class. He accepted the
fact with a thrill of joy, and praised God for making it so. Paul verified
the same alignment in the early Church. The upper classes held back
through pride of birth or education, or through the timidity of wealth. In
bringing in a new order of things, God had to use plain people to get a
leverage.

_What really was it that Jesus saw in the lowly to attract him?_

Sixth Day: Jesus, a Man of the People

And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and came unto Bethphage,
unto the mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying
unto them, Go into the village that is over against you, and
straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose
them, and bring them unto me. And if any one say aught unto