The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-08-13

week Mark 1l:20) the disciples saw
the fig tree withered away from the
roots. Passing on they enter the
temple where Christ's authority is
challenged. Following his disconcert.
ing reply (21;23-2O Jesus taught
three parallels of warning of which
this lesson is the second.
!. The parable, w. $3.50. 1t is a
story Of Gods long suffering goodness
and Luke (20:9) tells us that 1t was
addressed to the people. We need to
keep in mind the previous parable Of
the two sons (vv. 2S-32) in order to
understand perfectly the method he
employed in answering the chief
priests. In the first he states a case
and appeals to them for a verdict.
Without hesitation they replied and by
so doing condemned themselves. In
this parable he states case and asks
for reply, V. 40. This they gave and
in so doing declared a righteous judg-
ment which must fall upon their mo-
tiyes. In both parallels Jesus en-
ploys the figure of a vineyard. In
the Old Testament this stands for
Israel Ps. SO:S-11, lisa. 81.
Kingdom Committed to Us.
In this case II stands for the King
dom of God which is no longer identi-
fled with Israel but taken away from
1t and given to the Gentiles ". 43).
The Lord was dealing with the re-
sponsible rulers of Israel, those ia
miliar with the prophetic writings.
Ills reference to the digging and care
suggests that for his vineyard he had
done all that could have been done,
lisa. ga. Being fully equipped, he
places 1t first of all in the care OF
Israel, verse 43. Today It is in charge
of believers. | Peter 4:10. The hus.
bandman did not own the vineyard, 1t
was only entrusted to his care SO
in a sense, God has committed the
kingdom TO us, does his work through
us, and of a right expects an account.
ing by us, see Matt. 25:14, Is; Mark
1894; Luke 1912.
In these parallels we can trace the
whole history of Israel according to
Isaiah. The fruits he looked for from
the vineyard "let out to the husband
man" were those of judgment and of
righteousness. Their response had
ever been that of prosecuting the
prophets. i'll treatment of those that
were sent and a selfish appropriation
of the blessings he had given. These
servants sent to get an accounting
were God-commissioned and God-in.
spired, hence It is small wonder that
such people would accord like treat
ment Of the king when he came.
This is still the way the world uses
godly men, II Tim. 3:12. 1t reveals
the worlds natural hatred to God,
John 1918, 10; Rom. ST..
Appeal to Hearers.
II. The application, w. 4o46. Jesus
then appeals to his hearers as to
what should be done to the husband
man, V. 40. They declared, "he will
miserably destroy those miserable |
men and will let out the vineyard to
other husbandmen, which shall render
him the fruits in their seasons" At |
this Jesus reminds them of their
and what they taught con-
corning the fact of the stone rejected
by the builders becoming the head of
the corner.
The masters question ". 40) sug-
gests the one found in Heb. 1928,
20. Historically, God did "miserably
destroy these miserable men," That
happened at the destruction of Jerusa-
lem, one of the most appalling sieges
recorded in military history. 1t was
then that the doom pronounced by
Jesus was executed when he said,
The Kingdom of God shall be taken
iway from you, ard shall be given to
1 nation bringing forth the fruits
see Acts 1914; | Pet. 2:9;
Rev. $50. In these words Jesus for
nally and authoritatively passed sem
ence upon the nation and rejected 1t
rom a place of service. 1t Is signifi-
ant to observe the alternative Of fall
ng upon the stone and being broken
II of having the stone fall upon and
rushing all to dust. In the erection
# the temple one is the keystone OF
he whole On that stone the build
rs we're now falling" and being
broken" lisa. SIS. Soon in their
capacity, as ones entrusted
With vineyard, the stone should
fall upon them" in the destruction
f the city, and individually and per-
onally as unbelievers, in more aw-
ul sense.
Once again in this lesson we face
he fact that the chosen people were
elected because of their unfruitful-
ess, that is, they had failed to fulfil
ne purpose for which they were
reated. The sin of these rulers was
nat of their failure to administer
le affairs of the people In the In
srests of Gods kingdom. The fail
re of the people was that they sub
lifted to such false rulers. The su-
rene value of this lesson is in the
evelation of the wonderful power and
isdom of God This is shown by his {
these men to find verdict {
lat passed sentence upon themselves. {