The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1914-03-07

authority the believer has upon which
TO found his belief in the Second Com
Ing. Some refuse to have much to do
With this important theme because 9TH
ers have perverted it or else overly
emphasized it. yet in the 260 chapters
in the New Testament there are 31S
distinct references to this theme, far
greater proportion than is placed upon
some of the doctrines upon which
whole denominations have been found
ed.
Relative Value.
I. The exhortation to watch, w. 35-
40. This is the beginning Of new
paragraph. Jesus has been showing
the relative value of material posses
sions and the Kingdom of God and
epitomizes his teaching in v. "a. He
now sets before his disciplines what
shall their attitude towards him during
his absence Oh. Pet. Bill, IL r. w., IT,
tus 2:13; ii. Tim. 4:S). Thus to be
watchful seems to contradict his sug-
gestions about anxiety. We need to
remember, however, that the child
Of the Kingdom is In entirely new
relationship with the world His
desire is not for self enrichment but
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; |. Pet. lib. Jesus knocks at the
individual heart REV. 1920 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, Eight is always the result Of some
hing being consumed), are today's Wis
ible evidence of continuous service
Jesus ". 3S) tells us that not all shall
experience the blessing of his coming,
Y. d. oO iCduy iOl tuC DlcSbcu
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, |. Thess. 5:4-6; l. John
2:2S. When the king comes, he will
serve those who have served him and
both will be satisfied, lisa. 53:11.
Peters Question.
%. The explanation to Peter, w.
414s. 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 1t is also a |
of the teaching Just given.
In this part Jesus refers to stewards |
(bond-servants) that it is their sui
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
oountiful grace. John 21:15-17: /. Pet.
so; Jer. 3:15. There are many de-
,eitfNl servants who first feed them
selves, or feed only a portion of the
or who feed chaff rather
han bread, even the true bread Of life,
!. Pet. 2:2; 4:10, IL. Jesus teaches us
hat each bond-servant shall likewise
De Judged and that suddenly. II he
las proved himself worthy he shall be
'ewarded, If not, he shall be punished
". AID. A servant who is looking"
will be faithful and because SO many
ire not thus watching accounts for a
treat measure Of the worldliness, lax
and selfindulgence so COM
non in our churches of today An aw-
I'll judgment awaits the unfaithful
:. As, Matt. 25:41.
III. The exhortation. Jesus Christ
lere presents to us the fact that we
hall all be judged. That the measure
4 our reward or OF our punishment
3 dependent upon the measure of our
knowledge and Of our opportunity,
ames All. To him to whom much
5 given, Of him shall much be re-
uired. Our present responsibility is
hat Of being ready for the coming of
he King and of his Kingdom The ex-
ression Of that readiness is evidenced
y our lives of service. There are of
curse many other phases of service
OF included in this parable, but our
ord is emphasizing opportunity, stew
rdship, service, watchfulness. In or
er to fulfill our service we must enter
ito fellowship with the king in his
eign, and those who enter into that
fellowship, who are faithful, he will
,ward Wv. 81, 43. The measure of our
is CONDITIONED upon the
leasure Of our knowledge ". 49, and
Ut knowledge can be enlarged as we
Be our opportunities.
w. The Golden Text, ". 81. Is
tended to fix our attention upon the
cts Of our Lord when he shall return.
seems astonishing that he shall COM
Ell those whom he finds watching to
Eat themselves that he may grid him. !
IF and serve them. Here we grid
lrselves that we may serve him by
irving others Matt. 25:40). But in Z
lat tomorrow the day of his victory,
3 Will grid himself and serve those
no have been watchfulness and ODE
ent servants. This is a suggestion
the exceeding grace mentioned by