The Nevada County picayune., 1910-09-02
Two Parables of
 Judgment Sunday School Lesson for Sept. {, 1910 Specially Arranged for This Paper
Specially Arranged for This Paper

| IlME.-Iuesday, April f. A. D. 30. Two days after the triumphal entry | PLACE.-In the courts of the temple. Suggestion and Practical Thought. Sustaining the Faith of His Disci- pies, which was so soon to be tested to the utmost.-Matt. 21:20-21; Mark 11:20-25. The fig tree on which the curse for fruitlessness rested on Mon day morning, was found withered as Jesus and his disciples passed by 1t Tuesday morning on their way to the temple
 The Authority of Christ Challenged, and Christs Answer-Vs 21-27 (Mark 11:27-33; Luke 20: 1-S) The Pharisees came to Jesus and demanded by what authority he took upon himself to drive out the money-changers, and the cattle, and the dealers in them from the temple. What authority had he to call himself the Messiah, and to op- pose those who were the divinely ap- pointed leaders in the ritual of a di- vinely authorized religion and tenn pie?
 It was useless to answer them by
 
 have denied his authority, and made his claims means of bringing him be- fore the Roman court. His deeds and teachings were known, and they could have learned his authority. Jesus, therefore, refused to answer, but said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, not to puzzle them, but to lead fhay ta tbatr 1,, answering his
 25. The baptism of John whence was il? from Heaven, or of men? That Is. tell me what was Johns authority for his teaching, represented by bap- tism, 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 swering themselves the question they asked Jesus. They were mere politi clans and not statesmen, or patriots
 Jesus therefore refused to answer their question. and they could not com plain. It was very wise and true ac- | LiOu Ou tHe part Ol JeSuS.
 The Parable of the Two Sons. Good Resolutions Versus Good Deeds.-Vs 2832. But what think ye?" He would not answer their question, but he would give them a parable to think of, mirror in which they could see their own characters, and be led to re- pentance. "A certain man." represent ing God, our Father in Heaven, had two sons. Compare Luke 15:11.
 The First Son represented those who made no pretension to the service of God, but stood opposed to 1t in doc | Urine, in character and in life.
 The Second Son represented those who had in form at 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 upholding his true religion. They were particular about ritual and form and outward observances. They sat in the chief seats of the synagogue.
 To both sons was given the same command. to cultivate their fathers vineyard All Gods children are sent l into this world to make it bring forth the fruits of the Spirit to make 1t a kingdom of Heaven, in their own souls and lives, and in the world as whole.
 The first son refused to obey. He answered will not" Their whole conduct said "I 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 ac- tions and professions. T go. sir"
 Then. before they saw the applica- ton. Jesus asked them to decide
 "Whither 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 a mir TOT
 The Parable of the Vineyard and the Husbandmen.--Vs. 33-41. The Vine yard represented the 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 commandments. the institutions of re- ligion. and his revealed word.
 They Slay 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 1t 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 parables may seem far away ls,,t