The Life Of Jesus Christ In Its Historical Connexion

On another occasion, when surrounded by a larger circle of disciples, Christ exhorted the faithful to watch for the time when he would re turn from his glory in heaven and demand an account of their steward ship. How earnestly he sought to guard them against all attempts to determine the precise time of his coming, is manifest from his declaring that it was just. as uncertain as the moment when a thief would break into the house at night. It might be deferred, lie told them, until the night was far spent -- even to the third watch. [582] Very naturally Peter (conscious of his position and that of the other Apostles) here interrupted Jesus with the question, whether the parable was spoken in reference to the narrower circle of disciples in particular, or to all that were present. The reply of Christ (v.47, 48) was, in effect, that the greater one's knowledge, the greater his guilt, if that knowledge be not improved. On this principle the Apostles could decide for themselves the relation in which they stood to others.

Christ exhorted his followers, in all their struggles with the sins of mankind, to trust in the justice of their heavenly Father, who would judge between them and a persecuting world (Luke, xviii., 1, seq.); and to seek support and encouragement in prayer. If a judge to whom nothing is sacred does justice to the persevering widow, simply to get rid of her importunity, how could God leave unheard the continued prayers of his chosen ones invoking his justice? Though His forbearance may seem like delay, his justice will not fail; "He will avenge them speedily." [583] The decision of the Divine justice between the degenerate Theocratic nation and the new and genuine congregation of God was, indeed, to prepare its course more and more rapidly.

To long for a revelation of Divine justice before all the world, and for the time when HE shall judge between the good and the bad, is not at all inconsistent with prayer for the salvation of the enemies of his kingdom, as enjoined both by Christ's teaching and example. The. combination of the two is a thoroughly Christian one.

The Saviour finally put the question whether, under the delays of Divine justice, all that believed on him would hold fast their integrity; whether the Son of Man would find faith remaining in them all when he should reveal himself to his Church a second time. [584]