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THE PARABLES OF JESUS

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International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Dec 16, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 48.

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THE PARABLES OF JESUS.

Lesson XIII.—The Two Sons.

(Sabbath, December 18.)
1. WHERE did Jesus spend the last Sabbath before his crucifixion?
“Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; and Martha served; but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.” John 12 : 1, 2.
2. What occurred after supper?
“Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment.” Verse 3.
3. What attracted great numbers of people when they learned that Jesus was at Bethany?
“Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there; and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.” Verse 9.
4. What troubled the chief priests?
“Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.” Verse 11.
5. How did they propose to put an end to this annoyance?
“But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death.” Verse 10.
6. What remarkable event occurred the next day? Matt. 21 : 1–11.
7. What was among the chief causes for this demonstration by the people?
“The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bear record. For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.” John 12 : 17, 18.
8. When the Pharisees saw such honor paid to Jesus, what did they say among themselves?
“The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? behold, the world is gone after him.” Verse 19.
9. On the next morning (Monday), as Jesus was again on his way to the temple, what caused him to curse a fig-tree?
“Now in the morning, as he returned into the city, he hungered. And when he saw a fig-tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward forever. And presently the fig-tree withered away.” Matt. 21 : 18, 19.
10. What was the effect of this curse?
11. What bold action did Jesus take in the temple the same day?
“And they come to Jerusalem; and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money changers, and the seats of them that sold doves; and would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.” Mark 11 : 15–17.
12. What acts of mercy did he perform?
“And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.” Matt. 21 : 14.
13. How did these things affect the chief priests and scribes?
“And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David, they were sore displeased.” Verse 15.
14. What did they say to Jesus?
“And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea, have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise.” Verse 16.
15. How did he answer them? Same verse.
16. How might the cursing of the fig-tree illustrate the fate of these hypocritical priests and rulers?—The curse of God was about to fall upon them, because they were unfaithful, and did not bear the fruits of good works.
17. Where did Jesus lodge at night?
“And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.” Matt. 21 : 17.
18. What did the disciples notice on Tuesday morning, as they were returning to the temple?
“And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig-tree dried up from the roots.” Mark 11 : 20.
19. What lesson of faith did Jesus draw from this?
“Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” Verse 24.
20. What important condition did he lay down for the prayer of faith?
“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any; that your Father also which is in Heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” Verse 25.
21. As Jesus came into the temple, and began to teach, how was his authority questioned?
“And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority.” Matt. 21 : 23.
22. What proposition did he make?
“And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things.” Verse 24.
23. What question did he then ask?
“The baptism of John, whence was it? from Heaven, or of men?” Verse 25.
24. How did the priests then reason among themselves?
“And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From Heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him? But if we shall say, Of men, we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.” Verses 25, 26.
25. How did the conversation end?
“And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.” Verse 27.
26. How did Jesus then illustrate the condition of these conceited priests?—By the parable of the two sons.
27. Relate the parable.
“But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to-day in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not; but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir; and went not.” Matt. 21 : 28–30.
28. When Jesus had related the parable, what question did he ask?
“Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.” Verse 31.
29. How did they answer him? Same verse.
30. What startling announcement did Jesus then make to them?
31. What reasons did he give for making such a statement?
“For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not; but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.” Verse 32.
32. Which of the sons represented the priests to whom Jesus was talking?