The Yale expositor., 1912-08-01
LESSON FOR AUGUST q.
THE WORTH OF THE KINGDOM.

LESSON TEXT-Matthew Is, 44-53
GOLDEN TEXT-"Seek we first his
Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all
these things shall be added unto YOU"
Matthew 6:33.
We have studied some Of the prin-
clples that are to obtain in the es-
tablishing and the working out of this
new Kingdom Jesus came to found,
and the question naturally arises, lis
1t or sufficient value for me to con-
slider or seek to enter it, or to possess
IT." In our lesson today there is set
before us four parallels (Jesus' favorite
way or teaching) which he gave priv
ately to his disciples and not to the
multitude, that ought to answer any
such questioning in our hearts.
The first two have to do with the
great value of the kingdom, the Sec
ond its mixed character and final sepa-
ration, and the last, the great respon-
sibility OF those who possess it's
truths. In this entire group Of par
ables found in the thirteenth chapter
who are careful to observe the out
ward development, and four others
that are for those men of faith who
see beneath the surface the hidden
things of the kingdom. Those men
who view the kingdom in each par
ticular age as God sees rather than
as man observes.
Today's lesson sets forth the pur-
chase of things of great value the ac-
QUESTION and disposition of things of
mixed value, and lastly, the use of
these values after coming into the DOS
session of them.
]. The hidden treasure, v. A. Per-
haps more properly this should be
termed the parable of the bought field.
We need to remember that in all Of
these parallels the Master himself is
the important parsonage. He is the
one who sows the seed, etc. Hence
we understand that he isN the one
who discovers this great treasure hid.
den in the field. He has already told
us that "the field is the world" Matt.
1889.
Symbolism of Pearls.
II. The pearl of great price, VS.. As,
&c. This parable is very much the
same as the foregoing, yet it adds great
strength and force to this study in
values. We ought to be very clear in
our study and application The pearl
of great price may perhaps be taken
as symbol of our salvation, but If
so for us to interpret the merchant
man as the commonality of man would
be for the sinner to purchase his own
salvation, thing as far as possible
for the New Testament teaching.
Why does Jesus speak of pearls to
the Hebrews who did not esteem them
at all? What is the symbolism Of a
pearl? The pearl is the one precious
stone that is the result of living
organism; it is the result of an injury
done to the life of the oyster. 1t has
always stood for purity and for in
nocence. Is it then illogical for us to
assume that Christ Is the merchant
man who gave all to redeem (e. e.,
buy back) the lost souls of mankind?
parable is another that deals with the
mixed character Of the kingdom here
upon the earth and Of the final separa-
ton incident thereto. 1t is noticeable
that this is collective, not individual,
fishing. There will be many move
ments that will ostensibly be for the
gathering of men into this kingdom,
but the principle here laid down is
that one considered in the lesson OF
the wheat and the tares, viz, that ul-
timately there shall be cast out all
things that do offend. In the finality
of all things the kingdom shall be
without spot or bIemish. Hence we
do not read into this parable empha-
sis upon any phase of evangelism.
Search the Scriptures.
w. The householder, VS.. 51-53. In
the first Of these parallels We had the
Word as the seed of this new kingdom
in this the eighth of the kingdom par
ables we revert as it were to the mat
ter of the Word. Jesus asks his
disciples If they understand the Word
he has spoken to them. Their re-
spouse is, Eyes, we do" Then Jesus
shows them what burden of respon-
sibility due to possession rests upon
them. Jesus refers to the Scribes
whose work under the Jewish econ
Dmy was to transcribe and to interpret
and tells the disciples that they in a
ike manner are to interpret the king |
dom to all men. They are to bring |
'orth" hidden treasures. We must re- |
that Jesus taught in parallels |
hat hearing they might not hear"
stc., hence We are to search the |
Scriptures and bring forth these hid
len treasures of truth as We so about
doing our part.
Are we willing to pay the price for
he sake of the pearl? Are we willing
o pay the price of the field that 9TH
,rs may possess the great treasure of
eternal life in Christ? He paid tho
,rice to purchase eternal life for us.
Do not forget the Kingdom is not eat
Il II =