Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-08-31
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MislMPRovED OPPORTUNITIES TAKEN AWAY.
Matthew Fl: 23. 46-Ssptember a.

Therefore say l unto you. The King
dom OF God shall be taken from you"
In this Study the Great Teacher in two
parallels pertrays the mistake made by
the religionists of his day. The UNDER
standing Of these parallels gives a
clearer insight into the cause which led
to the rejection of Israel for time
from Divine favor incidentally, too. we
are to remember that nominal fieshy
Israel was prototype of nominal
Chrstendom. Hence we may look for
similar conditions and dealings now in
the harvest time of this Christian Age.
To get the force of the Lords teachings
here and everywhere it is necessary to
remember that the Jewish people had
been promised the Kingdom of God, of
which David's Kingdom was type on
a small scale. For centuries they had
been expecting great King. Messiah,
whose coming would exalt them and
bring them into prominence as Gods
Kingdom. John the Baptist. when he
came to introduce Messiah, told the Jews
that unless they would repent and come
back, to the extent of their ability, into
HdIHlOIly With 1Ou anu tuS Law tucy
need not expect to share in the Messianic
Kingdom. Jesus told the people that Mn-
less their righteousness should exceed the
righteousness of the scribes and Phari-
sees, they should in no wise enter into or
become members of the long waited-for
Kingdom. Matthew 500 The two
parallels of this Study illustrate what
stood in the way of the majority.
The Jewish people professed to be
Gods people. willing to do him service.
They were treated. not as mere slaves.
but. rather. like sons All were told to
go and work in Gods whey ard but they
divided into two classes, represented by
the two sons, in 1oui first parable. One
of these sons represented the outwarily
religious, pious, WHO said, Yes, we viii
serve God. However. they did not really
seek the Divine Service. but rather the
service of their sects and parties and
their own personal aims, honor. influ-
ence and preferment. The other class of
Israelites. represented by the other son
of the parable. made no pretense of serv-
ing God, and were branded as publicans,
sinners. harlots. Nevertheless. when
Jesus appeared. when Johns message
went forth, and afterwards the teachings
of Jesus and the Apostles, these same
publicans. sinners. harlots, were the
ones ready to receive him, while the re-
ligious. finding that his message was in
conflict with their teachings, repudiated
him. Thus one of the charges against
Jesus was. He receiveth publicans and
sinners and eateth with them"
The second parable represents God as
the owner of great Vineyard, in all re-
spects well appointed and furnished for
his purpose This Vineyard represents
the Jewish nation and the Divine prom
ises made to that people-the Law and
nant. for their development. This Vine
yard the owner let out to husbandmen,
whose duty it was to ,cars.foE the vines
and the fruitage and to render to the
owner the results, except portion which
they might keep for themselves. These
husbandmen were the prominent relig-
ionists, of whom Jesus said. The scribes
and Pharisees sit in Moses seat. All,
therefore, whatsoever they bid you OBJ
serve. that observe and do (Matt. 49,,
81 The owner properly required returns
on his property and sent servants to re-
ceive his share of the fruitage But the
husbandmen. instead of giving them
what was due their Master abused them
by beating, killing and stoning them
These servants were the prophets of
old. sent to Israel. They should have