The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-09
SUNDAY-SCHOOL WORK
ELuCIDATION AND REVIEW OF IN
TERNATIoNAL LESSON, MARCH 10.
The Rich Young Ruler, Related in
Mark n. 17-27-The Spirit in Which
Jesus should he Approached.

BY REV. JAMES E. GILBERT. d. D.,
Secretary of the American Society of Re
ligious Education.
to send to DR.. Gilbert, Washington, ID. c.,
their names, denomination and postoffiee
address for enrolment in the office of the
society. mentioning this paper, that docu-
ments on Bible study may be mailed to
them.)
INTRODUCTION.-Ha raised Lazarus
to life, the special object of His visit to
Bethany Gohn xi, III. Jesus departed from
Judea. where the Pharisees We're consulting
to put Him to death (John XII SO, 80, and
returned to Perea. There He continued His
ministry for a brief time. On the subject
of prayer and of divorce. He gave special
instruction to the disciples, relating the
parallels of the importunate widow and of
the Pharisee and publican. 1t was here
also that little children, brought to Him,
received His blessing. Mark X, 1850
Doubtless other events occurred which are
not related by the sacred penmen. They
pass Immediately from the beautiful scene
of childhood in the Savior's arms to the
interview with the young ruler, most in
teresting and instructive transfer of
thought
The lesson is in two great parts. The
first, verses IL to % covers the conversa-
second, verses % to q, represents an after
interview between Jesus and His disciples.
The theme of the first part, THE Great
Question, was presented by the young
man who spoke twice, Jesus responding
both times The theme of the second part,
THE Great Obstacle suggested by the
consideration of the first, was introduced
by Jesus, who made three statements. the
second and third being expansions and ex-
plantations of the first The remarks of the
apostles contained the expression of their
surprise at the Masters words, and re-
veaIed the state of their minds and the ex-
tent of their knowledge. AS usual. the GEN.
trail figure is Jesus, who stands between His
followers and an anxious youth, disclosing
himself to the former through the question
of the latter.
THE GREAT QUESTIONING supreme
topic of the day is up again. 1t was in
troduced formerly by lawyer duke X 49,
now 1t is raised by a ruler duke xviii, 49,,
probably one of the Sanhedrim, the Supreme
Court of the Jewish people. of which Nico-
demus member. John iii, IL First
notable eyent-a rich young ruler run
ming, kneeling, seeking to know the way
of lifei Confessed ignorance, worldly
honor, immense wealth, becoming rever-
ence, eager haste, all at the feet of the
1dHleedH. Inc SANITATION was unique
Good Master an acknowledgment of wis
dom and character, not previously given
but then specially valuable. duke xiii
~ Second-The young man seemed to be
confident of his abiiity. what must I
dor What good thing?' OIatt xix, 16)
He believed there was a merit in good con-
duct, a purchasing price which he was will
ing to pay for the life to come This was
sincere seeking for personal profit, not an
attempt to annoy. In the midst of hate
and duplicty such an approach is an oc-
casion for rejoicing.
First-Jesus gave attention first to the
title. 1t was no new thing for Him to be
styled Master. He had been addressed
by friends Mark tx, 81 and foes Matt
xvii, pa, and had so spoken of himself
(MIatt. xviii, 81 But why good? He did
not question His right to be so regarded
but the reason prompting the remark.
Then he added what the ruler knew Il
Sam. ii, 2: Psalm cxx, So, There is none
good but Cod The inference was if Christ
is good He is divine, and should be recog-
nized as SUCH
Second-No response being made to this
logic Jesus said (AIatt. xix, IL, 49,: IF
thou wilt be perfect keep the command
ments, precisely the advice given on a pri-
or occasion. duke X, 2S.) which, was
the quick inquiry. Jesus quoted the second
half of the Decalogue, but in different or
der Matt. xix, 49,, covering mans duty to
his fellow-man He did not thereby intend,
as many now attempt, to ignore duty to
God, but to apply what in the SEQUEL would
reveal the state of the mans heart The
young man claimed that he had observed all
this from his youth. so far as the letter
was concerned, that was probably true, for
it is said that Jesus loved him the only
M nk,
members of the Bethany family John XII,
o. and the apostles Gohn XIV, 81 There
Pharisaic boast in the assertion duke xviii
% even beyond the truth (Ezek. xxxiii, 81
Paul had similar experiences, which he de-
Scr1Ded aftes. his conversion. (ActS XVI,
!. 3; Phil. ill., 81 AT best it was a per-
functory performance of outward duties in
the light of express injunction III Tim iii.
81, quite below the spiritual measure (Ron'
i'll, 20), afterward made known under the
gospel. Qom. xiii, 3. ~ Still. the honest
knew, and his words were kindly received
by the Great Teacher. iOne thing thou
laekest,' was the reply of Jesus. Remark
muster in our day and be received in the
best society, He would be regarded one
thing lacking. What is it? Then the search
light was turned on. 60 sell what thou
hast and give to the poor and follow me-
blessing or a virtuee Sometimes, but not al
avs. Ill-gotten gain corrupts, degrades and
runs. But industry ana economy are en-
joined prov. vi, 81. and they generally
bring riches. Besides, the godly use of
property has the promise of the Divine
blessing prov. iii, 9, 10), and many emf
nent saints have been wealthy Gen. xiii
2; job xiii, 12) Furthermore. property may
be agent of usefulness in many ways
Il Tim. iv. 16. III Why. then, the Savior's
command? Might not the upright youth re-
tain his riches? The Savior's Follow me-
will solve the mystery He desired the
Rulers services and had right to pre-
scribe the morale and condition of such SER
vice. Demanding full conservation II
Chron xxx, 81, and the surrender of that
which he had, He nevertheless promised
has this to do with the ''lacS?" We shall
presently see The young man went away
grieved, refusing Christ's service and prom
Use. I'll Tim. ", 49, II was a painful hour
Two emotions aontended-a desire for life
and a desire for worldly honor and pos
session. He would gladly have taken both
And VITO would not? But the ultimatum
required choice. CMatt. vi, 24) Either the
ruler could not be a disciple OF Jesus and
retain his riches Matt. xiii, 22l, or else
Jesus could not employ him as He desired
with his property. Without stating the rea-
son the Master required the sacrifice. luke
xiv, 49, The sorrow proved the wisdom of
the requirement by exhibiting the state of
the man. What could Jesus have done
with a disciple who loved Him less than he
loved the world? Il John H. 15.) OF what
value is legal morality when wealth holds
chief placa n the hpart2 0 Tim vi 10