Middletown transcript., 1914-07-25

We are told plainly why Jesus spoke
the first parable ". ID. 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
Jews looked for temporal visible
Kingdom and many were associating
the earthly life of our Lord with that
expected manifestation. Hence this
parable as recorded by Luke.
Issue Is Fidelity.
I. "oeeupy Till ! Come" w. 11-14.
Both ofthese 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 RESPONSE
bilities. They are to trade, to do busi-
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 a king
dom fulfls the departure into a far
country" He will return to set up
that kingdom, Acts 1911, with "all
authority" Matt. 2S:1S R. ", Eph. 1:
1923; / Pet. 1922. He may return at
any time. In neither parable is there
a full description of the kingdom as it
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 I'll;
Acts 4:27-2S, and in this connection
we recall their cry, Away with him,
Luke 23:s; John 1915. These
citizens" also include all Of his pro-
fessed followers but not necessarily
men, Matt. 1928. The
king gives to each servant ". 13) a
pound (about $4,000. His deposit is
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
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 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 1t is entrusted to him, in which
be is able to deal with it. The small
amount Of one pound indicates our re-
for the smallest gifts.
Parable Of Pounds.
II. "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-
noned before him, Matt. 25:18, Rom.
I4:10-12, II Cor. $40. AS Jesus stood
here, he, likewise Of that as of all
,ther ages, saw ahead of him Jeru-
salem with its scourging, suffering
md death. He also saw beyond that
lis resurrection and departure to re- 4
,eive a 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 busi-
less with what he has entrusted them
# the kingdom authority and power.
AL Of this will eliminate In his re-
urn when he VIII deal with those to
whom this responsibility has been
,iven, and then establish finally his
rngdom. In the parable Jesus deals
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 commendation
nd (b) authority over ten cities.
IateT, ". 24) he also received another
'ound. The second did not give quite
70 good a report, and his reward
acked the appreciation of the king,
hough he is placed over five cities"
lis reward was in proportion to his
The third report was bad. It re-
'eals neglect, laziness; and a wrong
regarding the king. He
ought to excuse his sloth by blaming
mother. The excuses of the sinner
lways condemn himself, not God, and
the sinners guilt. The
wicked servant" lost what he would
ot use. If we will not use we must /
0se. Doubtless this servant considered
imself unfortunate, though he was
judged "out Of his own mouth" Re
erting again to those citizens VINO
ated bim and would not have the
ing to reign over them" Jesus
loses his parable ". 2T) by a most
errihc Indictment. God bears long
nth his enemies and is kind but he
I'LL not bear forever, II Thess. 1873.
All of our present activities are
rithin the period during which the
ord is absent. We wait his coming.
his fact alone is an indication of our
He must reign-absent