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THE PARABLES OF JESUS

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International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Dec 9, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 47.

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THE PARABLES OF JESUS.

Lesson XII.—The Talents.

(Sabbath, December 11.) 1. How did some of the followers of Jesus feel as he was on his last journey to Jerusalem? “And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them; and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him.” Mark 10:32.
2. What cause had they for fear? “The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence; for Herod will kill thee.” Luke 13:31.
3. When Jesus had taken the twelve apart, what did he tell them? Mark 10:32, last part of the verse.
4. Unto whom did he say he should be delivered when he arrived at Jerusalem? “Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles.” Verse 33.
5. How would they treat him? Same verse. What did he say the Gentiles would do after the Jews had delivered him into their hands? “And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him; and the third day he shall rise again.” Verse 34.
7. Did the disciples comprehend what Jesus told them? “And they understood none of these things; and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken.” Luke 18:34.
8. Why could they not understand such plain statements? Same verse.
9. What did they seem to be expecting that Jesus would do when he arrived at Jerusalem? —They evidently thought he was about to set up his kingdom upon the earth.
10. In view of this, what request was made by the sons of Zebedee? “And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.” Mark 10:35-37.
11. Because of these false notions, what did Jesus do? “And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.” Luke 19:11.
12. What did he say the kingdom of heaven was like? “For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.” Matt. 25:14.
13. How did the nobleman dispose of his goods before starting on his journey? Same verse.
14. How did he distribute them? “And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.” Verse 15.
15. Why did he thus give unequal portions to different ones? Same verse.
16. What course was pursued by the servant who received five talents? “Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.” Verse 16.
17. What by the one who received two talents? “And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.” Verse 17.
18. What did the servant do who received but one talent? “But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.” Verse 18.
19. After a long time what did the lord of the servants do? “After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.” Verse 19.
20. What report was made by the man who had received the five talents? “And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredest unto me five talents; behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.” Verse 20.
21. What did the man report who had received the two talents? “He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredest unto me two talents; behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.” Verse 22.
22. What did their lord say to each of them? “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” “His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Verses 21, 23.
23. When the servant to whom but one talent was entrusted was called up, what preamble did he make? “Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art a hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strewed.” Verse 24.
24. What account did he finally give of his lord's money? “And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth; lo, there thou hast that is thine.” Verse 25.
25. How did his lord condemn him from his own words? “His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strewed. Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.” Verses 26, 27.
26. What command was given concerning the slothful servant? “Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.” Verse 28.
27. What general principle did our Lord then lay down? “For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance; but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.” Verse 29.
28. To what was the unprofitable servant doomed? “And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Verse 30.
29. What are the talents which the Lord of the earth has given to his servants?—Talents of health, strength, intellect, wealth, skill, and everything else by which a man may benefit others.
30. How may these talents be improved upon to divine acceptance?—By using them to the glory of God and the good of mankind.
31. What special incentive should prompt all men to faithfulness at the present time?—The Lord of the earth is about to return and reckon with his servants.