Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1896-05-13
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
International Lesson for May II, 1890
ParAble of the Pounds-Luke IOi II-GI.

International Lesson for May II, 1890
Parable OF the Pounds-Luke 10; I1-.J.
ARRANGED from Peloubets Notes.l
GOLDEN TEXTILE that is faithful in that
which Is least is faithful also in much: and
| he that Is unjust I'm the least Is unjust also
In much.-Luke 16: 10.
THE SECTION includes only 70: lbs. be-
cause this Is all the record we have of tho
BRIEF time between the giving sight to Bar
timeus as he entered Jericho. and the ar
rival at Bethany. where our next lesson
begins.
TIME-The last OF March. A. d. 30. Prob
ably just after the healing of Bartimeus
Just week before the crucifixion.
PLAcE.-A street of Jericho and the house
of Zaccheus.
LESSON NOTES.
Jesus was now in Jericho, passing
through the city, never to return thith-
er again .Zaccheus immediately planned
to see Jesus. Zaccheus was a rich man.
he had gained q considerable portion
of his riches by extortion and fraud
He could not enter Gods kingdom and
retain this mammon of unrighteous-
ness. He promptly and 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 tho poor. This
trusted in Jesus and became His fol-
lower. For" said Jesus. 1.-THE Son of
Man is come to seek and TO save that
which was lost" "As they heard these
things" which Jesus had been saving
in the house of Zaccheus, where He was
guest. "He added and spake n par
able"
Jesus had repeatedly of late given the
impression that the kingdom was COM
ing, and that His going to Jerusalem
had something to do with it, (See
Luke 1920, 80; 1929. 30; Matt. 19:2s)
And they thought that all their dreams
about the kingdom were to be visibly
realized Immediately and in their way.
In fact, the great events necessary TO
ITS coming-the crucifiXion and resur-
rection-wcrc soon to take place; and
the rays of its dawn were to shine in
The Pentecostal gift % the Holy Spirit,
but the disciples would not recognize
these things. nor would the kingdom
appear to them; and it's 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; and that at some
time it would certainly come
The following is about as fair an in
depreciation of the preamble as our
space will allow:
Inc man of noble birth represents
Christ Himself, of royal blood and Di-
vine descent. He was the realization of
the highest ideal of nobility, noble in
character, in power, in deeds in ability.
The far country represents Heaven
ana the state of glory with His Father.
where Jesus went after His death and
resurrection to remain unseen till tho
time of His appearing shall come.
The kingdom lie was to receive is
the Messianic kingdom OF God, holding
it benign sway over all the earth.
The servants were Gods professed
people-the nation to whom such
great interests had been committed.
The pounds must denote something
winch is the same to all, so that no one
at the first can have more than another
ana yet this sometimes is OF such n sort
That 1t can be very differently en-
pioyed or increased by each one. not so
much according TO his ability as ac-
cording to his faithfulncss 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.
lie was going to the far country OF
Heaven for the purpose of obtaining
this kingdom. But they rejected Him.
He came unto His own, and 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 His
Kingdom and to judge the world Matt.
20: 3l-46). But not only then, but often
tunes there comes day of judgment,to
nations and to individuals. The de-
struction of Jerusalem was one of those
tunes; so are Providential crises. the
hour of revelation of crime long contin.
ued in secret, and the hour of death
Every one has TO give a strict account
$50 NAV Ib'i lIoS lllITuSttU To- him.
~ the close of this parable Jesus
makes statement of the principlc;
Unto everyone which hath shall he
given; and from him that hath NOT
even that he hath shall be taken away
from him." He has only true posses.
sion of a thing who uses its powers and
forces. He does not really 'havc" any.
thing which he does not make n stcp-
Ping-stone to something better. The
opportunities pass away. the abilities
diminish. the powers wane.
And che fate of those who reject
Christ IS just as certain. There was u
fulhllm'nt Of verse q at the dcstruc.
ton of Jerusalem, 40 years later. when
not Christian persisted. but more than
million Jews we're slain. But that de-
SUI uctlon was but one example OF the
ruin which must follow "a life of sin.