of Abraham." Another stray
sheep had been returned to the fold; another lost treasure had been
found; another wayward son had come back to the Father's house.[1050]
"For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."

UNTO EVERY ONE THAT HATH SHALL BE GIVEN.[1051]

As the multitude approached Jerusalem, Jesus being in their midst,
expectation ran high as to what the Lord would do when He reached the
capital of the nation. Many of those with Him were looking for a
proclamation of His royal authority and "they thought that the kingdom
of God should immediately appear." Jesus told them a story; we call it
the _Parable of the Pounds_:

"A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a
kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered
them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. But his
citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not
have this man to reign over us. And it came to pass, that when he was
returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants
to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might
know how much every man had gained by trading. Then came the first,
saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. And he said unto him,
Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very
little, have thou authority over ten cities. And the second came,
saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. And he said likewise to
him, Be thou also over five cities. And another came, saying, Lord,
behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: For I
feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou
layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. And he saith unto
him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou
knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and
reaping that I did not sow: Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into
the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?
And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give
it to him that hath ten pounds. (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath
ten pounds.) For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be
given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away
from him. But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign
over them, bring hither, and slay them be