96
T h e
K i n g ’ s
B u s i n e s s
February 1930
a sort must be made to find and enjoy salvation in Christ, that does not seem to be the meaning o f the parable. Sal vation is a gift (Eph. 2:8; Rom. 6:23). It seems easier to understand that the “man” represents the Son of man. It is Christ who found the treasure. Various views are held as to the typical meaning of the treasure. It has been thought to be “the latent possibility in the world of the realization o f the Kingship and gov ernment of God.” Others take it to be a description o f the Church. It would seem more natural to think of it as describ ing God’s ancient people Israel, now ap parently set aside but soon again to have a place as a restored nation in the cen ter o f God’s program (cf. R om .'11:11, 12, 25-32). IV. The Pearl (45, 46). Vs. 45, 46. Merchant man. A popular view is that the merchantman represents the sinner, who finds Christ. The reverse o f this interpretation is more in line with the teaching of the other parables. Pearl. The pearl is unlike other precious stones in that it is the product o f an injury done to the life of the organism (oyster) that produces it—a fit symbol o f the Church, which is born out of the suffer ing o f Christ on Calvary. Seeking goodly pearls. Following the analogy suggested, this points to Christ, who came to seek and to save lost sinners that He might ul timately present them to God. The pearl represents, not the imperfect Church on earth, but the Church in its ultimate glory V. 49. The end of the age. The king dom o f heaven gathers out of the world both the good and the bad. At a definite time, which Jesus calls “the end of the age,” there will come a separation. An gels shall come forth. Angels are men tioned also in the parable o f the tares (vs. 41, 42): They are God’s agents in executing judgment. Sever the wicked. Compare the tares o f the second parable, who are called “the sons of the evil one.” The good fish represent “the sons of the kingdom” (cf. v. 38). V. 50. Furnace o f fire. This represents the final destiny of the wicked. In the second parable each detail is explained by the Lord Jesus, except the fire. It sug gests the thought that if the wicked do not suffer the judgment of literal fire, that figure is the only one which Jesus could use to convey any idea of His meaning. VI. Treasure New and Old (51, 52). V. SI. Have ye understood. Although the disciples answered this question in the affirmative, it is doubtful if they had fully caught His meaning (cf. 16:11). The things o f God can only be understood by those who are guided by the Holy Spirit (John 16:12-14; 1 Cor. 2:14). V. 52. Treasure . . . new and old. It may be that Jesus was here giving a thrust^ at the scribes who clung to the old things and refused the new revelation. In one sense Jesus is the Christ of the eternal ages; there is nothing either old or new about Him who is “the same yes terday, today and forever” (Heb. 13:8). And yet from the point of view of the and beauty (Eph. 5:25-27). V. The Drag Net (47-50). Vs. 47, 48. Like unto a net. A figure easily understood by fishermen disciples. Good and bad fish represent the mingling of good and evil in the kingdom.
3. God’s plans will not be thwarted by the wickedness of man. “ Leaven” will be purged out by fires o f judgment. 4. The Gospel o f Christ is the power of God unto salvation to those who be lieve, but many will persist in unbelief until the end of the age (cf. Matt. 24: 24-31; Luke 18:8; 2 Thess. 1:7, 8; 2:3-8; 1 Tim. 4:1; 2 Tim. 3:1-5, 13; Rev. 1:7). 5. A safeguard against the corrupting o f the truth by the leaven o f false doc trine is the faithful study o f and abiding in the Word of God (Acts 20:29-32; 2 Tim. 3:13, 14). 6. Jesus was faithful in His warnings about the insidious perils of the last days. Is it not wise for us to take warning? 7. There is not a pessimistic note in these parables. Jesus did not ignore the presence and power o f evil. He pre dicted victory after conflict. 8. Although there is imperfection in the Church Militant, the Lord Jesus is perfecting and will one day receive to Himself a church that is “without spot or wrinkle or any such thing.” * * * G olden T ext I llustration A late king o f Prussia, visiting in one o f his villages, was welcomed by the school children, When he came to address them he took an orange in his hand, and asked, “To what kingdom does this belong?” “ To the vegetable kingdom, Sire,” said a little girl. Holding up a gold coin, he asked, “To what kingdom does this be long?” “To the mineral kingdom,” said one o f the children. “To what kingdom do I belong, then?” asked the king. The children were puzzled. They did not want to say to the animal kingdom lest their royal visitor might be offended. Then there flashed to the mind of one of them the thought, “ God made man in his own image,” and, looking up, she said, “To God’s kingdom, Sire.” The king was touched; and laying his hand on the child’s head, while a tear started in his eye, he said, “God grant that I may be accounted worthy of that kingdom.”— Rev. C. H. Kilmer. H« * * The Whole World for Jesus Matt. 13:31-33; 44-48. Memory Verse: “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done” (Matt. 6:10). Prayer. Approach.— Boys and girls, how many o f you like stories? Of course you all do. (Let the children suggest some stories they like best.) Your teachers at school,
disciples there is always a mine o f truth to be explored. The message of the Christ grows ever richer and deeper. * H« * L esson Q uestions V. 31. In what respects is the kingdom o f heaven like the mustard seed? What is this parable intended to teach? Who sows the seed? Where does he sow it? What is the field? V. 32. Does a tree that springs from a mustard seed represent normal or ab normal growth? What is meant by the birds of heaven lodging in the branches (cf. vs. 4, 19; Dan. 4:12-14)? V. 33. Of what is leaven a type every where else in Scripture? Was it usually allowed in sacrifices? Why not? In what sacrifice was it allowed (Lev. 23:17)? What did that sacrifice symbolize? What is represented by the three measures of meal? Does the word “hid” suggest some thing done insidiously? V. 44. What does the field represent (cf. v. 38) ? Whom does the “man” rep resent? What is represented by the treas ure? Does a sinner need to sell all and “buy” Christ? Did Jesus Christ lose any thing to gain a treasure in the world (2 Cor. 8:9; Heb. 12:2) ? Vs. 45, 46. Who is represented by the “merchant man” ? What is symbolized by the pearl? Is it more reasonable to un derstand this' parable to mean that the sinner purchases Christ, the pearl of great price, or that Christ purchased the church (Eph. 5:25-27)? Vs. 47-50. What does the sea represent? What is done when the net is full? At what time will this be done? Who are represented by the good fish and the bad fish? What is the meaning o f “gathering the good fish into vessels” ? What is the doom o f the “bad fish” ? Who are God’s agents in this judgment? Vs. 51, 52. Why was Jesus anxious that His disciples should understand Him? Had Jesus meant the parables to be eas ily understood? Why were they slow to catch His meaning? How will those who are “instructed” show their knowledge ? What treasure are we expected to impart? * * P ractical P oints 1. Church discipline is not forbidden by these parables. The apostolic church was more concerned about maintaining its purity than about building a great organi zation. 2. Jesus found in Israel three kinds of leaven: (1) Leaven of the Pharisees, or formalism (Matt. 23:14-16, 23-28) ; (2) the leaven of the Sadducees, or skepti cism (Matt. 22:23-29) ; (3) leaven o f the Herodians, or worldliness (Matt. 22:16- 21). Those who have spiritual vision will recognize that similar “leaven” is at work in the Church today.
and your mothers, often t e l l you a story to teach you a lesson, do they not? When Jesus was here upon earth He told th e p e o p l e “parables,” or sto ries. A little girl once s a i d that a p a r a b l e was an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. I
think that was a very good definition for a parable. In our lesson for today, Jesus tells the people what the kingdom of heaven is, by means o f stories, or par ables.
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs