THE PRODIGAL SON, AND OTHER STORIES.
One day, when the mothers of Perea brought their little ones to Jesus,
the disciples found fault with them for coming, and tried to keep them
away. But when Jesus saw what the disciples were doing He was much
displeased, and said to them--
'SUFFER LITTLE CHILDREN, AND FORBID THEM NOT, TO COME UNTO ME: FOR OF
SUCH IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.'
And He took them up in His arms, put His hands upon them, and blessed
them.
Jesus used to tell some very beautiful stories as He went slowly
through the Holy Land. We have not room for all, but I must tell you
two or three, and I will tell you them exactly as Jesus first told them.
'A certain man had two sons: and the younger of them said to his
father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And
he divided unto them his living.
'And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and
took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance
with riotous living.
'And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land;
and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a
citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine
did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he
said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to
spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and
will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before
thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy
hired servants.
'And he arose and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way
off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran and fell on his
neck, and kissed him.
'And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and
in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
'But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and
put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: and
bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be
merry: for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and
is found.'
THE STORY OF THE UNMERCIFUL SERVANT.
At another time Jesus said--
'Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which
would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon,
one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But
forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and
his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
'The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord,
have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
'Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed
him, and forgave him the debt.
'But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants,
which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him
by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
'And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying,
Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
'And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should
pay the debt.
[Illustration: The Jordan near Bethabara.]
'So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry,
and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord,
after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I
forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: shouldest not
thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity
on thee? And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors,
till he should pay all that was due unto him.
'So likewise shall my Heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your
hearts forgive not every one his brother.'
Jesus often told beautiful parables: here are two--
THE STORY OF THE TARES.
'The kingdom of Heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in
his field: but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among
the wheat, and went his way.
'But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then
appeared the tares also.
'So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst
not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?
'He said unto them, An enemy hath done this.
'The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them
up?'
'But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also
the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in
the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first
the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat
into my barn.'
THE STORY OF THE TEN VIRGINS.
'Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which
took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bride-groom.
'And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were
foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: but the wise took
oil in their vessels with their lamps.
'While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
'And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh;
go ye out to meet him.
'Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the
foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone
out.
'But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us
and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
'And while they went to buy, the bride-groom came; and they that were
ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
'Afterwards came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
'But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the
Son of Man cometh.'