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THE KING’S BUSINESS
is indirect, revealing and yet concealing. Some will not hear' now, but will think afterwards. The principle o f parabolic teaching is then explained (vv. 10-17; cf. Mark 4:10-12; Luke 8:9-10). It contains a punishment, and a blessing; a reason, and an effect (12), (cf. Mark and Luke as above). Note the two kinds o f hearers: the earnest, and careless (v-. 12 ). There are seven parables: Three pairs, and one concluding. Some important points in .the considera tion o f these parables. (1) The necessity o f recognizing dis- pensational truth; the Kingdom, the Church, the World,. Christendom, the Jew, the Gentile, and the Church o f God (1 Corinthians 10:32). (2) The Kingdom is here set forth in mystery (11). Wherever Christ holds sway in any human heart there, in a spiritual sense, does He set up His King dom. (3) That the Kingdom is not to be manifested during this dispensation, -which is that o f Christendom and the Church. (4) That Christendom will consist o f a mixed society until the end. (5) The absolute certainty o f a final separation between the good and the bad. These parables have but one meaning even though many inferences and lessons. In these seven parables Jesus is describing the history o f the Kingdom o f heaven dur ing the period o f His absence from the earth and until His coming again. By the “ Kingdom o f Heaven” here is meant prac tically, “ Christendom”—the sum total o f all those who profess to believe on and who call themselves by the name o f Jesus Christ. The “ age” , spoken o f in Matthew 13 is not the “ Kingdom” age, but the period o f time in which we are now living. At the con summation o f this age the Kingdom, which was “at hand” when Jesus announced it, but which was rejected by “ His own," and which since that time, has been held in abeyance—will be established upon the earth by the personal presence o f the King Himself.
5 . Here we find the most direct opposition and open antagonism towards Christ, C. 12. Notice the growth o f opposition in the hearts, minds and actions 'of the enemies o f Christ and the Kingdom: First, they grumble within themselves (9 :3 ) ; then they express their feelings to the disciples ( 9 : 11 ) ; then they speak o f it among them selves ( 9 :34) ; but not yet to the Master’s face. In this chapter they attack Christ directly. They are encouraged to do so by the doubt o f John, the fault-findings o f the people, and the unbelief o f the cities in which most o f His wonderful works had been done. The cause o f the Christ and the Kingdom seems to be dying; hence their boldness. Their charge o f Sabbath breaking in 12 : 1-21 is most aggravating-because o f its pettiness. Their opposition in connection with the healing o f the blind and dumb demoniac (22-37), in which they charge Christ with being in collusion with the devil, shows direct malice. Notice that the sin against the Holy Ghost is con nected with this form o f opposition (cf. also Mark 3:28-30). The King is then insulted by being called “Master”, in mockery, and. by the people demanding a “ sign” (38-45), as if the previous signs given by Christ had been unworthy o f the name. This was a studied insult. No wonder the Master spoke o f our having to give an account for every idle word. • Finally, there was the lack o f sympathy and unbelief on the part o f His own fam ily (12:46-50). This must have hurt the Master more than all other opposition and antagonism. V . The Progress of the Kingdom, 13- 16:20. Here is traced for us the progress o f the Kingdom not only during our Lord’s time, but during all time until its final consum mation. i. The Kingdom in mystery—the parables, c. 13 . Note the change in the Master’s method o f teaching; before, it was direct; now, it
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