456
THE KING’S BUSINESS'
as good as a mile,” and that, as we sing, “Almost Is but to fail.” II. T he W idow ' s M ite ,—vs. 41-44. 1. The Treasury. In the Court of the Women, as one passed to the Courts of Israel and of the Priests, were ranged 13 “trumpets,” inverted cones into the open ings of which were dropped the gifts and fees of the worshipers. Jesus, as is His custom, noted the gifts and the givers, the former only as they measured the latter. 2. Who Gave the Most? He saw a widow (Dore’s cartoon pictures her with a babe at her breast and another by her side) drop in two mites, a quarter of a cent, “ even all her living,” i. e. for the day’s needs. “She,” said He; “ hath cast in more On “ the Day of Questions” (last lesson) Jesus and His disciples retired to Bethany. On Olivet they paused to view Jerusalem. Strong and splendid as it was He predicted its destruction. To the questions of that day the disciples now added three: “When shall these things be and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the (age) world?” The Lord’s answers in cluded “things to come” down to and at the end of this age, and certain practical reflections which included the parable of the Virgins and the Talents and a descrip tion of the judgment at the end of the age. II. A n O riental W edding . Details Differed. In general : The groom spread a final feast for his batchelor friends. The bride with her maids, at the home of her parents or his, waited his coming, which, liable to delays, was always uncer tain, with lamps, probably on rods, ready at any time for the cry; “ Behold, the bride groom cometh,” and to go to meet the gay procession with its torches, music, and hilar ious shouting. These features of a wed LESSON X I, G olden T ext 25:13. I. T he C onnection .
than all they (not than either one, but “ than all” ) that have cast into the treas ury,” and yet, “Many that were rich cast in much,” for He reckons by what is left, not by what is given. Her mite was a mighty sacrifice, and testified of her mighty love to Jehovah, for she loved to the ex tent of “all the living she had” ; I am quite sure it went into the alms chest, for “ she knew how it was herself,” as the rich did not, and it testified to her love of her neigh bor. So, the Lord’s word for it, with her love was “more than all whole burnt offer ings and sacrifices” paid for by the rich that day, and He who multiplies “your seed sown,” and with* a little lad’s few fishes feeds five thousands has made those mites produce millions. ding Jesus used to furnish the lessons of our beautiful parable. III. T he P arable . ‘ Then,” —v. 1. Whatever the kingdom is like now, “ then” at ■ that critical time, it will be like this :—The bridal company will be waiting; the Bridegroom will come suddenly ; some ‘ will be ready. and ■go in to the glory; others, unready, will be shut out in the night. How much space, as a printer might say, is to be put between this now and that “ then” none can tell. “ Ten Virgins.” Who are the bride and the virgins? W e know the Bridegroom; and his friends are the prophets and apos tles (Mark 2:18-20), and these are the Church, its very foundations (Eph. 2:20- 22), and it is consistent to take the virgins too for the Church (Eph. 5:22-33; 2 Cor. 11:2). The distinctions in the parable are needed to convey the instruction because there are distinctions in the Church. The parables are great sufferers, and put in the “ sweat box” they say many things for which they are not accountable. Avoiding controverted opinions we intend to set out
—September 13—T h ® T un V irgins .—Matt. 25:1-13. — Watch, therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour. __Matt.
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs