The same kind of thing is common today. Never mind consistency, find fault with Christianity on all its sides, and with all its preachers, though you have to contradict yourself in doing so. 

As, in a royal progress, the nearer the king’s chariot the higher the rank, and they who ride just in front of him are the chiefest. It is also true that, the closer we are to Him, the more truly great we are. The highest dignity is to be His messenger. 

By this concluding statement, Christ intended to remind them, that he who would adhere firmly and steadfastly to the faith of the Gospel must encounter obstacles, which will tend to interrupt the progress of faith. But we must continue to be strong in our faith.

"Were I to get you rid of these doubts, others would come. There is a shorter way of destroying them. Let Christ be really to you the Son of God the Saviour. Do His will. His light will dispel the clouds, and His Spirit will lead you into all truth."

When such questions are asked, the Church must be ready, not merely to give proofs of her ancient origin, her orthodox title-deeds drawn from the dusty safes of her theology, but she must be able to say, "Look at my life, my work. See what I am doing for the poor, the destitute, the oppressed, and judge me as you find me."

Only as we live this deeper life, when we "dig deep," is our joy assured forever. The teaching of our Lord in this parable is that, whatever in character, joy, hope, is not based on the deepest life, life in Himself, must be overthrown.