The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1914-09-25

without a shadow Of faltering.
This reading lesson contains the
most celebrated and familiar verse IN
the bible. In 1t We zee:
A mighty God-"For God"
A mighty m~otiye-.'So loved
A mighty scope-'The world"
A mighty sacrince-"So gave His only n.
gotten SON.
A mighty escape-"Not perish"
A mighty gift-'Eternsl life"
We here see Jesus set forth in sracs
and while 1t does not declare that he
came to Judge. yet. in the passage are
set forth those principles upon which
he is constantly the judge, and where
by he will eventually act in the Liant
and final Judgment.
Gods Right
In the first lesson, that Of the labor
ers, Jesus taught his disciples the soy.
ereignty of God. God has a right 10
do as seemeth best to himself. In this
parable we see the true motive in SER.
Ice, viz, fidelity and not for hope d
reward. Jesus thus prepared the way
for his denunciation and Judgment, of
the rulers.
Lesson two, which deals with tho
self-seeking disciples and, the seltsac-
rifcing Savior, is intended to teach
that there Is but one path to true and
lasting greatness, and that Is the path
of sacrifice and service. In 1t the d.
ciple has presented the question of
association with himself In power, and
the method and value Of service.
The story OF Bartimaeus, lesson
three, is a beautiful and touching ex-
hibition Of his activity Of mercy even
in the midst Of the approaching judg,
ment.
In the fourth lesson is presented tho
parable Of the pounds and the talents
Both are spoken to the disciples and
both deal with their responsibilities 70
himself In the coming days. Our eter.
nal reward depends upon our acts and
attitudes in the life that now Is. w
are rewarded not according to what
the Lord has bestowed upon US but
rather as we use that which ID BE-
slowed. upon us. These parallels pre-,
eminently deal with our responsible
ties to himself In the days to come.
Thus far the lessons were spoken A
he approached the city. The hour vas
approaching. therein. in which ~
would declare the verdict and pan
sentence upon the chosen people.
Lesson FIVE presents Jesus as ne
Messiah prophesied Of in the Old IT,
lament. It deals with the story OF Ms
coming into Jerusalem. Entering thus
in such a manner demands our atten'
ton for It foreshadows the time 81 nls
judicial activity with reference to tne
people and the nation.
The next five lessons may be said
to deal with this ministry Of judgment
In lesson SIX we see some OF tns
preparatory signs and teaching. Ins
blasting Of the fg tree and his cleans
Ing Of the house Of God are both syn
bolical.
Lesson seven teaches us that Il v
fail to be faithful In the kinsoom
which has been entrusted to US It Wy
certainly be taken from us. Jesus CO..
pels the rulers to define their own laif
ure and to pass sentence upon lnss
failure. He then most solemnly WARN
them that In the economy Of Goo, e
people Israel had been set aside mn
service.
Lesson eight presents the parable =
the marriage feast In which Jesus =.
folds the plan Of Gods invitation g.
It's human rejection In three stasss
Gods kinshIp.
The ninth lesson Is q political Y
quiry which our Lord answered "
setting forth all OF the important 80
relationships according to the Juno.
mental fact OF the kingship Of Goc
"Render unto Caesar the things ~
are Caesars, and unto God the TIM
that be Gods" No other answe!
his better reveals the infinite wisoo4
skin and tact Of our Lord. Mans ~
preme duty towards God is the cniss
content Of lesson ten. The iass !"
these lessons are in the realm o. NJ
troverscy In which we hear him = .
deals with the fundamental Question v
law and sets ever against 1t the nav
principle OF love. Man is to put -
flrst In everything.
From the Olsvet prophecy we g.
last two lessons. VI
In lesson eleven, the parable 2. ~
virgins. we are taught that the g.
Jesus Is coming again and We nv
watch and be ready against that lmIs
nent event. This lesson also suss.
the responsibilities Of his people e
. Ing his absence. ..l
The twelfth lesson u q predicuoA
the Judgment Of ne nations 2 "
7 veals the way W which be 70 70 Oss
TIE administramon which Will -.
. when that Kingdom ID estaDiisns NJ
! There II ! kingdom prepared ron
foundation Of the world for tne ~ n.
Z ecus and . punishment preparec
: ne devfl and those who wliA.
2 choose to % his VIII Those wno
! fhssr IL mn IN must 70 with n@