The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-09-22
Sunday School
Lesson
for
September 3.

oCCASI0N-LuEe records the events Of our
present lesson as having occurred in Galilee
several months prior to our Lords last pass
over. Matthew (ch. xxx: 43-5l.) relates sub
stantially the same as transpTing on the Mount
Of Olives, shortly before the crucfXion. This
discrepancy has been yariously explained. Some
assert that this is only proof that the evan
gelists did not pursue a strictly chronological
order; that each arranged his material as best
suited the general purpose of his composition.
The greater number of scholars among them
Tischcrdorf, Andrews Broadus, hold that Jesus
frequently repeated His teachings, taking oCcd-
sion of different circumstances TO render the
sense more apparent or to deepen the impression,
aud that, accordingly, Luxe relates the earlier
and Matthew the later delivery OF this passage.
The case OF the model prayer is cited a simi-
lar instance Of such repetition (Matt. vi: 9.l3:
Luke Xi; l-l3) having been delivered on the
Mount and again by request. Accepting this
view rs most honorable 20 the Now Testament
writers, our lesson acquires increased vaiue as
containing the twce.told, and, therefore, more
important, il IstTuction Of Jesus to His disciples
lisa. XVI: lO) They were dull pupils, slow to
learn iIohn xvi. l2,l but He was patient and
apt teacher,
SERVANTS Various titles are applied in
Scripture to the followers Of Jesus, each title
expressing some relation, quality or duty. They
are called disciples CJohn xii: 3l,) because they
are expected TO learn believers CActs v: ll,)
because they must accept what is taught
friends John Nv: IA because they must be
personally attached to Jesus; saints (Romans i:
- because they must lead holy lives. In our
lesson Jesus employs the term servants to indi
| cate that they were to be obedient TO Him. In
a short time he would depart out Of the world
(John xvi: 81, leaving them in charge OF the
church, to act in all thigs according to His dl
IeCtions To make them understand something
| Of the solemnty Of 'he obligation thus imposed
| upon them, lie illustrates by the practices com
| mon in that day among worldly masters and
servants, This He does first under the aspect o.
| a faithful servant and his reward, and then o.
the unfaithful servant and the punishment Such
was the condition of society at the time thai
His remarks were easily understood, and, there
fore, the more completely Sitting forth tn,
points in hand. No method could have beer
| employed more surely or effectively 10 impress
| upon their minds the nature OF the relation
| which they sustained TO Him and to His cause
| and the duty arising out of that relation, 4
was, moreover, an excellent sequel to what III
had just said concerning their worldly affairs
| Verses % and 35)
| WATCHEG-Jesus employs a single word
| watching, to indicate the character and con
| duct OF a faithful servant. the pattern of
| faithful disciple. That watching should be o
two kinds; first, for 'the return OF their Lord,
Cyerse S) that lie may De properly received
| and second, for the protection of the propert
of their Lord in His absence, that He nigh
| suffer no loss. This watching was the NOR
necessary because Of the item of uncertainty
No one knew what moment Jesus would return
lie kept that matter profound secret. Neithe
could anyone predict when some great interes
in the cause OF Christ would be put in icopaT
| dy, Constant vigilance was, therefore, require
| in the servant II, for a single day, he shoul
be OFF guard, he would prove himself recrean
TO his high trust, Geek. iii; H. The spiri
Of absolute loyalty to his Master would lead t
the utmost diligence and panstaking. II was i
this way that Jesus sought TO convince the dii
ciples that every portion Of their natural liy's
aud every power which they possessed, must b