The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1896-05-15
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
onternat tonal Lesson for May II. le5o-
Parable Of the Pounds Lake 10: HAT.

Althi
GOLDEN TExT.-lie that - faithful IN that
which IL least IL faithful also la much: and
ne that IL unjust in the least u unjust also
In much. Luke 10: l0
TIIr SECTION Includes only 10: i-2s. be-
cause this ~ all the record we have Of the
brief time between the giving sight 20 Bar
timeus as he entered Jericho. and the ar
rival At bethany. where our next lesson
begins.
TiME.-The last OF March. A. d. 90. Prob
ably just after the healing Of Bartimeux
Just a week before the cruciixion.
pLAcE-A street OF Jericho and the house
OF Zaccheus.
LESSON NOTES.
Jesus was now in Jericho. passing
through the city, never 10 return thith-
or again. Zacchcus Immediately planned
TO see Jesus. Zacchcus was a rich man.
He had gained a considerable portion
OF his riches by extortion and fraud.
lie could not enter Gods kingdom and
retain this mammon of unrighteous-
ness. lie promptly ard completely dis
carded his old life. and made not only
the required restitution. but more.
and slew his love of money by giving
half Of his property to the poor. This
day salvation came To his house. He
trusted in Jesus and became His fol-
lower. "For." said Jesus, the Son of
Man is core 10 seek aud 10 save that
which was lost" "As they heard these
things" which Jesus had been SAYING
in the house of Zacchcus. where lie was
n guest, "He added and spake par
nhle,"
Jesus had repeatedly Of late given the
impression that the kingdom was com
ing. and that His going 70 Jerusalem
had something 10 do with IL. (See
Luke 1920. 30; 1920, 30; Matt. l0:2s.D
And they thought that all their dreams
about the kingdom were TO be visibly
realized Immediately and in their way.
III fact, the great events necessary 70
its coming-the crucifixion and resur-
rection-werc soon to take place: and
the rays OF its dawn were TO shine in
the Pcntecostal gift of the Holy Spirit,
but the disciples would not recognize
these things. nor would the kingdom
appear to them: and its complete com
ing was yet far away: nor would il
ever come in the way they expected il.
This parable was to put them on their
guard against disappointment; To teach
them their true way Of waiting. in
faithful. patient service. for the COM
ing Of the kingdom: ana that Mt som.
time it would certainly come.
The following is about rs fair an in
terpretation of the preamble as our
space will allow:
The man of noble birth represents
Christ Himself. OF royal blood and Di-
vine descent. He was liberalization Of
the highest ideal Of nobility. noble in
character. in power, in deeds. in ability.
The far country represents Heaven.
and the state of glory with His Father.
where Jesus went after His death and
resurrection to remain unseen till the
time of His appearing shall come.
The kingdom lie was to receive is
the Messianic kingdom OF God. holding
ii benign sway over all the earth.
The servants were Gods professcd
people-the nation TO whom such
great interests had been committed.
The pounds must denote something
which is the same to all. 50 that no one
MT the first can have more than another.
that il can be very differently en-
ploycd or increased by each one. not 80
much according TO his ability as nc
corling to his faithfulness or industry.
Such are the words Of God. The means
of grace. the redemption in Jesus. the
presence and power Of the Holy Spirit,
opportunities to be faithful and true.
faith. hope, love, and all the fruits of
the Spirit.
The citizens represent all men over
whom He is the rightful King. and who
live within the limits of His kingdom.
He was going To the far country OF
Heaven for the purpose Of obtaining
tLis kingdom. Eut they rejected Him.
lie came unto Ills own, md His own
received him not" Especially did the
Jews distinctly say: 1--WE will not have
this man reign over us"
Christ is coming again TO receive Ilis
kingdom and 10 Judge the world Matt.
IS: 31-i6) But not only then. but often
times there comes day Of judgmenttD
nations and to individuals. The de-
struction Of .Jerusalem was one of those
times: so are providential crises, the
hour Of revelation Of crime long contin-
ned in secret. and the hour Of death
Every one has 20 give a strict account
Of all that God has intrusted 10 him.
At the close of this parable Jesus
makes a statement OF the principle:
"Unto everyone which hath shall be
given; and from him that hath not
even that he hath shall he taken away
from HIM" lie has only true posses
sion of thing who uses its powers and
forces. He does not really have" any
thing which he does not make q step
pinr-stonc 70 something better. The
opportunities pass away. the abilities
diminish. the powers wane.
And the fate of those who reject
Christ Is ftIst as certain There was a
fuflmcnt Of verse - at the drstruc-
ton Of Jerusalem. 40 years later. when
not Christian persisted. but more than
a million Jews y Gro slain. rut that de-
struction was hut one example of the
ruin which must follow life Of sin.