The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-08-27

In this study the Great I6acner IN
two parallels portrays the mistake
made by the religionists OF His day.
The understanding OF these parallels
gives a clearer insight into the cause
which led TO the rejection OF Israel
| for a time from Divine favor. Incl
dentally. too, We are to remember that
nominal fieshy Israel was prototype
OF nominal Christendom. Hence we
may look for somewhat similar con-
ditions and dealings now in the "har-
vest" time OF this Christian age.
To get the force of the Lords teach
| ings here and everywhere 1t Is neces-
sary 10 remember that the Jewish peo-
pie had been promised the Kingdom
of God, of which David's kingdom was
a 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 harmony with God
| and the Law they need not expect TO
share in the Messianic Kingdom. Jesus
told the people that unless their right
eousness should exceed the righteous
ness OF the scribes and pharisees,
| they should In no wise enter into or
| become members OF the long-waited-
| for Kingdom. (Matthew 5:20) 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 ser
vice. They were treated. not as mere
slaves, but, rather. like sons. All
were told to 20 and work In Gods
vineyard; but they divided into two
classes, represented by the two sons
In our first parable. One OF these sons
represented the outwardly religious
pious, who said, Yes, we Will serve
God. However, they did not reall,
seek the Divine service, but rather the
service of their sects and parties ant
their own personal aims. honor. 1nnu
ence and preferment. The other class
OF Israelites, represented by the othe
son OF the parable, made no pretens'
of serving God, and were branded a
publicans. sinners, harlots. Neverthe
less, when Jesus appeared, wheI
Johns message went forth, and after
wards the teachings OF Jesus and TIT
Apostles. these same publicans. sin
ners, harlots, were the ones ready Il
receive him. while the religious, ind
ing that his message was In confiic
with their teachings, repudiated him
Thus one OF the charges against Jesu
was, He receiveth publicans and Sin
lners and eateth with them"
The second parable represents Co
as the owner OF great vineyard. II
all respects we'll appointed and fuI
nished for his purpose. This vine
yard represents the Jewish nation
and the Divine promises made to tina
people-the Law and all the arrange
, ments of the Law Covenant. for thei
! development. This vineyard tn
. owner let out to husbandmen. who's
duty 1t was to care for the vines an
. the fruitage and to render to tn
!, owner the results. except a portion
! which they might keep for themselves
These husbandmen were the prom
nent religionists. OF whom Jesus said
"The scribes and pharisees sit Il
Moses seat. All. therefore, whatsc
ever they bid you observe, that OF
serve and do" Matt 23:2-3.) TIL
owner properly required returns on hi
property and sent servants to receiv
his share of the fruitage. But tn
, , husbandmen, instead OF giving Their
what was due their Master. abuse
! them by beating, killing and stonin
. them.
! These servants were the prophet
of old, sent to Israel They shout
! have received the kindest treatmen
and an abundance of fruits OF meel
ness. gentleness, patience, ETC.. bu
instead. they were treated as intruder
: by the leaders of Israel. Some G
: them we're stoned, some beaten, som
! murdered, some sawn asunder Som