Newark post., 1910-08-10
Sunday School Lesson
Rv K. S. Holmes

LtS'N'
TUE lARORERS IN THE VINE
> '''' ARD.
(Matt. 20: 1-io)
co;den Text But many that are
srst shall be last, and the last shall be
first" Matt, 10: 80
The gospel story as told by Mat
how Iay, great emphasis on the idea
" . "the Kingdom" Jesus made it so
io;,, that all should have understood.
r his hearers did comprehend, the
lsaders among them chose not to see.
No man was ever more misrepresent-
ID than was Jesus. Our lesson to-day
!, about the Kingdom. The Golden
Tsxt, which immediately precedes this
norsbIe Of The Laborers in the Vine
pard" was apparently given in illus
ration oi how first could be last and
last first
THE VERSES.
VS.. !. The husbandman or vineyard
ovner starts early TO hire men to work
that day.
VS.. :. He found some, agreed with
them iur the days pay, and set them
at work,
vs.. l. He walked in the market
nIace about nine o clock and saw idle
men there.
vs.. J. He spoke with them. prom
ised to pay lair wages and started
them working.
vs.. :. At noon he repeated this last
act and again at three III the after
noon. each time making the same
promise.
vs. o. An hour b efore close of la
bor for the day he fol.nd more idle
men He asked them why they were
not working.
VS.. 7. They answered the fault was
not theirs. 1t shall not be mine, was
his reply; and he hiie them, making
fair promise.
VS.. s. The day closed in an hour.
The men came for their pay He or
dered his steward to pay the men.
Begin with those hired last" he said.
vs.. Q. Each OF this last company
received a coin called here "a penny. .
vs., 10. Aiter the MONDAY men and
the nine o'clock men had ben paid
CIlilC lIlC Nti Ndi ~ illol, tiit Slh
ocioek in the morning men.
vs.. II. They received their pay and
began t. grumble against their EN-
poyer
Ns. y. The complaint was natural
enough but ii was not fair. for they
agreed to work for fixed sum and
they received it.
vs.. l3. The owner OF the vineyard
answered the man who openly made the
complaint.
FIRST. am keeping my agreement
Yor did agree TO work for penny.
agreed to give 1t.
vs.. ii. Second. Here it is Take
it. It i, yours. Keep your agreement
even as do. | pay these last be
cause think it right.
Ns y. | am breaking no law
giving what | have right to givt
cause il is my own / am trying tt
good Do not be evil for such (
Fson
". 70 This is the renetition o
apter 10 verse 30. Ii IS added as HI
pses the parable to show last cal
first and first last"
III awe is a very brief teliin" q
story. Would it not be well 10 g
Ter these very easy verses III SOM
rh way with the pupils, and the1
estion it back frr N them TO you!
When you have liked this story II
ur own mind ask yourself how thi
Dry represents the Kingdom 0
Faven. This will be fruitful work.
The husbandman is God. He has
work after which he is himself look
ing all the time. His search for labor
ers begins early. God would have hi
working day filled with workmen do
ing the work which his world demands
Service and reward is the law OF tn
Kingdom God does not expect me-
to toll for human good without reward
His call seems to be gong out a
day long. He seems to have place
for eveEy one. His power to pa.
seems ncxhaustible. His readiness t
employ or to accept service neve
cease
/ Col IS lair 10 all. He said to tn
race at the beginning, there is one de
finite reward for human obedience
l That is eternal life. That was BIZ
l penny When the offer went out I
some who not in rclat OF to him tha
he would have. his promise was ais
fair, not definite, bat far | will re
ward has been his word down all tn
ages. When he found those who sal
We have had no knowledge OF ser
wee. az of kingdom, or OF reward
he Sald, | offer It then, even now, t
YOU, and / will reward. Here is on
/ Of the lessons. The offer OF salvatio
/ has been in every age Al God coul
OTTER to the first saved soul was saliva
hcn. All he can offer to the last save
soul VIII be the same wonderful gil
here IS another: length OF time !
Service i not the meausre for GOD
fewcrds, but the willingness with w1ic
the obedience to his call is made.
l Ii God had many kinds OF reward
to give, then there might be basis {
complaint for giving to one-hou
l servant as much as he gives TO twelv
hour one But there is only one re
ward
a saved soul is a saved soul.
| Human nature is well pictured her
s.- N ...l