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TH E KING ’S BUSINESS
run untrammeled (1 Kings 18:46) ; to fight (1 Sam. 25:13) ; to minister in the priest’s office (Exod. 39:5) ; to serve (John 13:4). The girding symbolized vigorous action, or readiness for it. All these .thoughts are applicable to the believer’s attitude; but alertness and readiness are the main 1 thoughts. “ Your lights {“ lamps’") burn ing’’ —The time of Christ’s absence is night, this is an age of darkness. We need light in a dark place (2 Peter 1:19). The Word is our lamp (Ps. 119:105). It is “burning” only when we have it in mind and follow its light. Remember the foolish virgins (Matt. 25:6-10). 2. Watching, vs. 37-39. Another “par able.” In this night of , waiting we are like to be robbed of our faith; our hope; our zeal; our opportunity; all the saving graces. The “thief”—Satan ? Love of the world? Neglect of the means of grace? Prosperity? Adversity? False teachings? The coming itself? (Rev. 3:3; 16:15) which may strip one of all. Watchfulness! this alone—but it is a sure protection against the soul-thief. 3. Working, vs. 42-44. In answer to Peter’s question (v. 41) this parable seems to be for the heads of the Lord’s house hold. As such it presents a dread pros pect for those who claim to be Peter’s, suc cessors. They have a bad record of lord ing it over their fellowservants. But other Scriptures show that the principles apply “ even to all.” Christ has' given “to every man his work” (Matt. 25:15; Rom. 14:12). We are all commanded not to be “slothful in business” (12:11), and that means the King’s business. And we are to care for and help, not mistreat our fellow servants (Rom. 12:10; Gal. 2:2; Rom. 14:1-4). To these three “Ws” we add another, “Be not weary” (Gal. 6:9), waiting, watching, work ing. III. T he I ssues . 1. To the Faithful. They shall meet the Lord “with joy and not with grief” (Heb. 13:17). How eagerly they will haste to the door when He “knocks.” There is •some thing wrong, igjnorance or faithlessness,
with those who dread Christ’s, coming. Know, friend, that He comes for salvation (Heb. 9:28). What have they to fear who are under the Blood? What blessed re wards to His servants! What a feast, when He girds Himself to serve them who gird ed served Him! Then we shall see what eye never saw; hear what ear never heard; realize what heart never conceived. “Even so come, Lord Jesus’’ (Rev. 22:20). 2. To the Faithless. Outer darkness. For their lamps are gone out. The loss of all, for the thief will spoil them. To be without Christ, G°d, hope in this world (Eph. 2:12) is sad enough, hut in the world to come—what unspeakable ruin 1 In the midst of his glorying to be “suddenly cut off and that without remedy” (Prov. 29:1). Here are three degrees of delin quency, with three degrees of punishment: (1) The utterly apostate, verse 46; those who know and do not, verse 47; those who know not and do not, verse 48. So there are degrees of reward, “over ten cities,” “over five” (Luke 19). What awaits you? to be “cut asunder,” “beaten with many stripes,” or “with few”-—or to cry, “Bless ed is He that cometh!” (Matt. 21:9;. IV. T he U ncertainty of the T ime . ' This is implied in the whole passage, but affirmed in verse 40. No one knows when He is coming; therefore no one knows when He is not coming; therefore we should be ready always for His coming. V. T he T emperance L esson . I hardly see how to tack a “temperance” lesson onto this,—which is addressed to believers. Believers in this time and coun try do not often fall into the sin of drunk enness. The word “drunken” occurs in verse 45, and in a category of evil doings where it is certainly quite at home. Teach ers should use the opportunity to create a-strong antagonism to strong drink, its use and sale. No drunkard can be waiting, watching, working, or ready for the com ing of Christ in His kingdom and glory, for no drunkard shall enter the kingdom, and drunkenness is great shame.
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