WHEN Jesus said to his followers, "Ye are the light of the world," he did not refer to any human quality or characteristic, but to the spiritual understanding which had begun to dispel the darkness of material belief and to make plain the way of salvation from all evil. For centuries the people had been watching and waiting for that which would deliver them from the bondage of the oppressor. There were many evils from which they hoped to escape, and they prayed that help might come speedily. Like mortals of today, they thought they knew what they needed to be saved from, and they had great expectations. Doubtless they had even speculated as to the manner in which their salvation would be proclaimed. It was evident they thought it would in some way differ from the existing order, for this had not accomplished their deliverance ; nevertheless they were hardly prepared for the wonderful teaching and the more wonderful works of the long-expected Messiah.
Previous to his delivery of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus had taught in the synagogues and preached the gospel of the kingdom. He had also demonstrated that his teachings were intended for every-day application, by "healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people." So it may be assumed that many of those who had assembled on this memorable occasion had caught a glimpse of the truth he preached and desired to know more of it.
Spiritual perception is begotten of the Father ; it does not originate in the so-called intelligence of mortal mind, neither is it nourished or sustained thereby. It is in and of divine Mind, and can only be reflected by man. Therefore when Jesus said to his disciples, "Ye are the light of the world," he must have meant that whatever of God, infinite good, was manifest to them, this was the light of the world, and it was required of them that the light be kept burning so that others might see.
