QUES. 12.-In what sense are we to understand the three solemn illustrations at the close of Luke 14:, the Tower, the King, and the Salt. What does their connection with the parable of the great supper on the one hand and the three parables of Luke 15:on the other, teach ?
ANS.-The parable of the great supper emphasizes the free-ness of the gospel, going out to the world at large after its rejection by the nation of Israel. It further shows how the invitation is given freely to all. without regard to their condition. What is emphasized is the freeness and universality of the gospel.
In the fifteenth chapter it is not the offer of grace to the sinner depending, as it were, upon his acceptance or rejection of it, but grace is seen seeking after the lost. It is more divine sovereignty, coupled with effectual exercise in those wrought upon. The activity of the Shepherd's love in seeking the lost sheep, until He find it, shows the persistence of a love that had to go to death before it could get the objects of its search. There is nothing left to the sheep; it is found, and carried safely home by the seeking Shepherd. In a similar way the lost piece of money is found by sovereign diligence. Here it is the Spirit's work. The prodigal shows the exercises of a soul in whom grace has wrought, and here it is also effectual.
Coming between these two aspects of the gospel, the illustrations of our Lord are of solemn warning to those who, in a careless unexercised way, make profession. Alas, what multitudes now, as in our Lord's day, follow Him outwardly, but not really. To such the threefold warning should come in solemnizing power.
The tower suggests, among other things, that prominence which every professor has-a city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Can the professor erect such a structure in his own strength, something that will last, and withstand the attacks of the enemy ? The King is evidently here an enemy. It may be the "prince of this world," or possibly that greater King who will come forth to meet His enemies. Has the professor, in either case, strength to withstand the assaults of the King ? Surely in neither case if he has nothing but a mere profession. In that case he is as salt without savor, to be cast out as utterly worthless. It is practically the warning as to Laodicea, a lukewarm, savorless profession, without exercise and without reality.
The gospel is known and preached with greater or less clearness in our day, particularly as to its freeness. Men are not much troubled with doubts, and it is to be feared have but small feeling of the intense solemnity of these great questions. Far be it from us to cast a shadow upon faith that is real, even though it be weak. But this careless ease which brings people into the sphere of profession without new birth, is a thing to be spoken of most plainly. The work of the evangelist must be largely to bring home to men the awful fact that they are lost, condemned already, and but waiting for the eternal doom soon to be theirs, unless they turn to Christ. When sinners are "pricked in their heart" they will not despise or lightly esteem the gospel of peace.