The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-07-23

Hldny tnlnBS, enter INTO tne JOY Oh my
lord" Matt. 1921 II. V.
We are told plainly why Jesus spoke
the first parable ". ~. We must be-
ware of confusing these two parallels
though they are one in their essential
teachings.
The parable Of the pounds was ut.
tered before the triumphal entry Of
Jesus into Jerusalem while that Of
the talents was spoken subsequently.
This association does not mean iden-
tity for each has a separate lesson.
Both have to do with an absent lord
whose return was imminent. The
I Jews looked for temporal visible
Kingdom and many were associatlng
the earthly life of our Lord with that
expected manifestation. Hence this
parable as recorded by Luke.
Issue 10 Fidelity.
I. "occupy Till Come" w. 11.14.
Both OF these parallels have to do with
the return of an absent lord who will
then establish his kingdom. In view
OF this return and consummation, his
servants are to give their undivided
attention to their immediate responsi-
bilities. They are to trade, to do bust.
ness with that that has been in
trusted to them They are to actively
discharge their duty. Ere the visible
kingdom Is established, Jesus told
these Jews, there must be a period OF
preparation. Jesus, himself, Is the
"nobleman" whose ascension into
heaven where he Is TO receive king.
dom fullls the departure into far
country" He will return TO set up
that kingdom, Acts 1911, with "all
authority" Matt. 2S:1S r. ", Eph. l.
1928; Pet 1922. He may return at
any time. In neither parable is there
a full description OF the kingdom as II
is to be established, for both have TO
do with the servants. The issue Is
that OF fidelity in each case.
The "citizens" ". 1D include his
proper subjects the Jews. John III;
Acts 4:27-2S, and in this connection
we recall their cry, Away with him, |
cruelty" Luke 23:S; John 1915. These
Citizens" also include all of his pro.
fessed followers but not necessarily |
regenerated men, Matt. 1928. The
king gives to each servant ", 13) a
pound (about $4,000. His deposit In
equal in each case. In the parable OF
the talents there is difference In the
amounts bestowed. This last empha'
sizes the fact that each Is to be held
responsible according to the measure
of his own personal ability. Putting
these two together we see that all the
servants of the king are responsible
for the one pound which Is n symbol
OF the common fact OF the kingdom
power At the same time the servant
is also responsible for that common
power according to the measure In
which II is entrusted to him. in which
he is able TO deal with It. The small
amount of one pound indicates our re.
sponsibility for the smallest gifts.
Parable Of Pounds.
u. "When He Was Returned" w.
1880. The parable of the pounds was
spoken to those who thought he must
at once establish he kingdom Of God
That of the talents was given in an
swer to the disciples inquiry as to
when certain things which he had fore.
told would take place. Upon his re.
turn all these servants will be sum.
moned before him, Matt. 251S, Rom.
l4:10-12, ii Cor. $40. AS Jesus stood
here, he, likewise of that as of all
other ages, saw ahead of him Jeru.
salem with its scourging, suffering
md death. He also saw beyond that
lis resurrection and departure to re-
'eive q kingdom ". 12), a period
therefore in this world during which
lis servants shall be responsible for
he care Of his interests, time dur.
ng which they shall occupy, do bust. !
less with what he has entrusted them {
II the kingdom authority and power.
All OF this will eliminate in his re.
urn when he will deal with those to !
whom this responsibility has been {
,iven, and then establish finally his
,ingdom, In the parable Jesus deals l
With each servant separately, and EN-.
hasizes the fact of stewardship. The ;
ound belonged to the king. For his
the first servant received, ,
=. II, (a) the kings commentator >
nd (b) authority over ten cities. I,
.ater, ". 24) he also received another !,
ound. The second did not give quite y
0 good report, and his reward n
lcked the appreciation of the king, n
lough he is placed over five cities" q
lis reward was in proportion to his 6,
lithfulness.
The third report was bad, 1t re. 3
eals neglect, laziness, and wrong
onception regarding the king. He .,
ought to excuse his sloth by blaming "
mother. The excuses of the sinner ,s
ways condemn himself, not God, and o.
igment the sinners guilt. The =,
wicked servant" lost what he would =,
ot use. II we will not use we must Ia
Sc. Doubtless this servant considered a,
mset unfortunate, though he was q,
dyed "out Of his own mouth" Re-
'rting again to those citizens who !,
tied him and would not have the
ng to reign over them" Jesus n,
L +