200 Christ's Answer eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it'. Christ lays his Hand on young Children, and blesses them. THEN were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and called them unto him, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them; and departed thence ". The Answer of Christ to the rich young Man. AND when he was gone forth into the 5 Matt. xix. 3–12. 6 Matt. xix. 13-15. xviii. 15-17. Mark x. 2-12. Mark x. 13-16. Luke to the rich young Man. 201 way, behold a certain ruler came running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, saying, Good Master, what good thing shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou knowest the commandments, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Defraud not. Honour thy father and thy mother and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The young man answered and said unto him, Master, all these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Now when Jesus heard these things, beholding him, he loved him, and said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: If thou wilt be perfect, go thy way, sell all that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he was very sorrowful, and went away grieved: for he was very rich, and had great possessions. And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter 202 The Reward of Labourers into the kingdom of heaven. And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, and astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus looking upon them saith, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. With men this is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible'. The Reward of Labourers in the Lord's THEN answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. Verily I say 7 Matt. xix. 16-26. Mark x. 17-27. Luke xviii. 18-27. in the Lord's Vineyard. 203 unto you, There is no man that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake and the gospel's, who shall not receive an hundredfold now in this present time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come shall inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first. For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour, and saw others. standing idle in the marketplace, and said unto them: Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard 204 Christ foretells his Suffering. saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen . Christ, as He is going to Jerusalem, foretells his Suffering to the Twelve apart. The ambitious Petition of James and John. AND they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: Matt. xix. 27-xx. 16. Mark x. 28-31. Luke xviii. 28-30. |