Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-09-03
Two PARALLELS of
Judgment
Su2day SehoS Lesson for Sept. {. 1910
Specially Arranged for his Paper

heE from you Matthew q
TIME--Tuesdsy. April = 4. u. %. Two
DAYS after the triumphsl entry
PLACE.-Iu the courts OF the temple
Suggestion and Practical THOUGHT.
Sustaining the Faith OF His Disci-
pies. which was so soon TO be tested
20 the UtmosS-Matt 21:2O-21. Mark
ll.a0-25- The fg tree on which the
curse for fruitlessness rested on Mon
day morning. was found withered as
Jesus and his disciples passed by Il
Tuesday morning on their way 10 the
temple
The Authority OF Christ Challenged.
and Cbrist's Ansver-Vs. 2l-27. Mark
1879; Luke 20;1-S) The Pharlsees
came to Jesus and demanded by what
authority be took upon himself 10
drive out the money-changers. and the
cattle. and the dealers in them from
the temple What authority haA he
30 call himself the Messiah. and 20 op-
pose those who were the divinely ap-
pointed leaders in the ritual OF a d.
vinely authorized religion and tenn
plef
Il was useless 20 answer them by
any statement OF fact They would
have denied his authority. and made
his claims a means OF bringing him be-
fore the Roman court His deeds and
teachings were known. and they could
have learned bis authority. Jesus.
therefore refused 20 answer. but said
unto them. I also will ask you one
thing" not 20 puzzle them. but 20 lead
them 70 answer their own question IN
answering his
%. The baptism OF John. whence
was &C.? from Heaven. or OF meng THAT
IL. tell me what was Johns authority
FOR his teaching. represented by hap
usm. and I Will tell You what mine Is.
for both are from the same source.
The rulers were afraid TO express
their opinion. and said they could not
tell They could not do SO without
making trouble for themselves. or an
svering themselves the question they
asked Jesus. They were mere politi-
clans and not statesmen. or patriots
Jesus therefore refused 10 answer
their question. and they could not com
plain. IL was very wise aud true &C.
ton on the part o. Jesus.
The Parable OF the Two sons Good
Resolutions Versus Good Deeds-Ys
2S-S2. But what think ye?" He
would not answer their question. but
he would give them parable 20 think
OF. mirror In which they could see
their own characters. and be led 10 re-
pentance. a certain man" represent
ing God. our Father ia Heaven. had
two sons. Compare Luke 1871.
The First Son represented those who
made no pretension 20 the service OF
God. but stood opposed 70 Il in doc.
tTine. in character and IN life.
The Second Son represented those
who had IN form az least been carry.
ing on the work OF their Father. repre-
scented by the elder son IN the parable
OF the PrOdigal son This class In
cluded the Jewish leaders. and all
those who Joined with them as repre-
sentatives OF the kingdom OF God in
the world. as his professed servants
In UNFOLDING his true religion They
were particular about ritual and form
and outward observances. They sat
Ia the chief seats OF the synagogue.
To both sons was given the same
command. to cultivate their fathers
vineyard. All Gods children are sent
INTO this world 10 make Il bring forth
the fruits OF the Spirit. 10 make #
kingdom OF Heaven. IN their own souls
and liVes. and In the world as a whole
The first son refused 10 obey He
answered I will not" Their
whole conduct said Il will not" And
this continued for ages "But after
ward he repented. and went" The sec
ond son answered and said. go. sir:
and went not" Those whom this
son represented had said by their &C
tons and professions. Il go, SIR"
Then. before they saw the applica-
tion. Jesus asked them to decide
WHITTIER OF them twain did the will
OF his father"
The only possible answer was. The
first"
Then Jesus made the application,
and they saw themselves as In mir
ror.
The Parable OF the Vineyard and the
Husbandmen VS.. 33-4I The Vine
yard represented me kingdom OF God
which was entrusted to the Jews
planted by God with the rich and fruit
full vines OF the knowledge OF God. his
ligion. and bis revealed word
They Stay the Son. Their Only Hope
Because they wanted TO keep their
places. their honors. their wealth
their own pleasure
The Result was that they lost all
They killed that they might possess:
but II was the shortest road to entire
loss. Those who reject Christ In or
der that they may keep possession of
themselves. their pleasures and hopes.
have taken the shortest and surest
way TO lose them
LIVE WIRES.
The parallels may seem far away
from US, but from them there come
live wires conveying living truths to
our souls and TO our nation today.
To go on Ga sin against all the moral
Jaws OF God. Is TO be like a grasshop-
cer i--ss.~- : gowiBg machine The