e 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.
But they regarded that as an excuse, as prudent reserve, until the time
was ripe for the entry of the great general. The curiosity increased
at every new speech, and they hoped to hear Him sound the call to arms.
Others held aloof and thought over the deeper meaning of His words, and
if it was possible to comprehend them and live according to them. At
first they found it easy and pleasant to be free from care, and to be
conciliatory towards their neighbours. It suited the poor admirably to
make a virtue of necessity, so that their indolence and poverty
appeared as meritorious. But after a few days they began to realise
that perhaps they had not understood the Master's words aright. Even
the Samaritans from over the border listened to the strange teaching
about heaven or earth. If the ancient writings spoke of future