Middletown transcript., 1914-03-07
Relative Value.

Qes1r6 is uOL IOE Sell 6uTlCum6uL DuI
rather to be in such relations with God
as his rights demand and thus to bring
to others their highest good. This par
able epitomizes opportunity. Rightly
to make use of none's opportunities
spells happiness for the disciple when
he the king shall appear. The evidence
that we are watching for his appear
ing consists of the readiness Of the in
dividual who is or is not watching,
v. 35; 1. Pet. 1:13. Jesus knocks at the
individual heart (Rev. 3:20) but when
he comes twill be to be present at a
feast, v. SO. We cannot contract this
time and there is no. call to service to-
morrow. Lions girt, ready for the bat
tie or for the race, and lamps burn
ing, (light is always the result of some
thing being consumed), are today's Wis
ible evidence of continuous service.
Jesus ". 38) tells US that not all shall
experience the blessing Of his coming,
e. g., be ready for the blessed minis
trations of his presnce. As a thief
comes unannounced so will he come,
Matt. 24:43, A. Thieves do not an
nounce their programs, but though he
comes thus unannounced we need not
be overtaken, I. Thess. 5:4-6; l. John
2:28. When the king comes, he will
serve those who have served him and
both will be satisfied, lisa. 53:11.
Peters Question.
II. The explanation to Peter, w.
41-4e. Between this parable and the
one which follows, Peter interrupts by
asking the question, Lord, speakest
thou this parable unto US, or even un
to all?" That which follows is his an
swer to that question but it is also q
continuance of the teaching just given.
In this part Jesus refers to stewards
(bond-servants) that it Is their su.
preme business to seek the Kingdom
by selling in order to give. The one
work of a servant is to give to the
members Of an household, each in due
season his portion of the fathers
bountiful grace. John 21:15-17: I. Pet.
So; Jer. 3:15. There are many de-
ceitful servants who first feed them
selves, or feed only a portion of the
household, or who feed chaff rather
than bread, even the true bread of life
I. Pet. 2:2; 4:10, IL. Jesus teaches US
that each bond-servant shall likewise
be judged and that suddenly. If he
has proved himself worthy he shall be
rewarded, if not, he shall be punished
". 4T. A servant who is looking"
will be faithful and because so many
are not thus watching accounts for a
great measure of the worldliness, lax
evangelism and self-indulgence so com
mon in our churches Of today. An aw.
full Judgment awaits the unfaithfuI
v. 46, Matt. 25:41.
III. The exhortation. Jesus Christ
here presents to us the fact that we
shall all be judged. That the measure
of our reward or of our punishment
is dependent upon the measure of our
knowledge and of our opportunity,
James All. To him to whom much
is given, of him shall much be re-
quired. Our present responsibility is
that of being ready for the coming Of
the King and Of his Kingdom. The ex-
preston of that readiness is evidenced
by our lives of service. There are OF
course many other phases Of service
not included in this parable, but our
Lord is emphasizing opportunity, stew
ardship, service, watchfulness. In or
der to fulfill our serTice we must enter
into fellowship with the king in his
reign, and those who enter into that
fellowship, who are faithful, he will
reward w. 37S43. The measure of our
punishment is conditioned upon the
measure of our knowledge ". 4S) and
our knowledge can be enlarged as we
use our opportunities.
~. The Golden Text, ". 81. Is
intended to fix our attention upon the
acts of our Lord when he shall return
1t seems astonishing that he shall com
pei those whom he finds watching to
seat themselves that he may grid him.
self ard serve them. Here we gird
ourselves that we may serve him by
serving others Matt. 25:40). But in
that tomorrow the day of his victory,
he will grid himself and serve those
who have been watchfulness and obe'
dent servants. This is a suggestion
of the exceeding grace mentioned by
the Apostle Paul. Rom. 1888. This
ought to inspire the souls of men with
an earnest desire to serve one whose
love is so great. Sublime in its sim
plicity and its suggestiveness, yet we
may have the high satisfaction Of that
hour when fidelity shall be thus re-
warded This is satifaction and
reward that throws into the shadows
all earthly honors and earthly advant-
ages