Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1906-08-23
THE SUNDAY SCHOCH
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR AUGUST 26.

Matt. xvi, "a - Topic: Great
Facts Connected With Salvation.
I. Jesus and the ruler Tvs. II.
22). II. "Was gone forth" From
the house where He had blessed the
children Tvs. 1916. He now starts
again on His journey to Jerusalem.
"Came one running" From this and
parallel accounts we learn that this
man was, CD young, CD rich, CD
ruler-probably of synagogue and
possibly a member of the Sanhedrin,
ca very moral, 80 humble-he fell
at Jesus feet, (6) In earnest-he
came running, CD anxious to learn
he came as an inquirer; but he
was also Cd self-righteous, CD ig.
norant concerning spiritual truth,
CD unwilling to give up his earthly
possessions and worldly prospects,
ca unwilling to trust all to Christ.
"Kneeled." In this he was showing
Jesus great respect and was recog-
nizing Him as spiritual authority
above the priest or rabbi. Master"
Or teacher. What shall do" etc
His question shows that he believes
in a future state; he was not Sad
ducee. Eternal life." The divine
life implanted in the soul by the
Holy Spirit 1t begins in this life
but will endure forever. IS. why
callest thou Me good?" Christ did
not say that He was not good, or was
not God. If the young man called
Christ good" the question Jesus
asked would lead directly to His di.
vinity.
10. THE commandments" Ac.
cording to Matthew Jesus said, "If
thou wilt enter into life, keep the
commandments" The young man
asked Jesus which special or great
commandment He referred to. Jesus
replied by enumerating the com.
mandments in this verse. He re-
ferred only to the second table of the
law, which relates to the duties OF
man to man.
20. "Have I observed. He wac
strictly moral and had lived good
life outwardly. He then asked
Matt. 1920 what he lacked yet.
He was conscious of a lack in his
spiritual life, and this question was
serious inquiry as to its cause.
p. "Jesus--loved him." The Sa-
viour was drawn toward him. He
saw in the young man great possible
tiles. Sell --- give Jesus struck
right at the centre of the young
mans difficulty. He was ready to
give all to God but his property: this
was the ''one thing" over which he
was about to stumble and fall. %.
went away grieved." His counten-
Fol
| full. He went away reluctantly, but
he went He wanted eternal life,
but he wanted his possessions more.
II. Jesus statement concerning
riches Tvs. 23-2D. 90. "How hard.
ly." etc. That is. they shall enter
with great difficulty. This Is amply
confirmed by experience. Rich men
seldom become true Christians.
"a Trust in riches" Here Is
the danger, the place where many a
rich man will lose his soul Riches
cannot drive away anxiety. They
cannot purchase contentment. They
cannot buy friends. They cannot
lure sleep. They cannot buy appre'
| citation. They cannot bride death.
| They cannot purchase eternal life.
25 THE eye of needle II
has been suggested that the needles
| eye was small gate, leading into
| the city, intended only for foot pas.
sengers, and that the camel could
| only squeeze through with the great.
est difficulty, but lit is now generally
| thought that the calling this small
gate the needles eye is a modern
custom, and not in use in the time OF
Christ" 90. "Astonished. Like
all Jews, they had been accustomed
to regard worldly prosperity as a
special mark Of the favor of God
"Who then can be saved?" All men
by nature share the same guilt and
| love of the world.
81. with men it is impossible. .
According to the power and ability
OF men this is impossible, but God
by His power, is able to so save q
man that even the things that al
lured him most will lose their attl &C
| ton to him.
III. Rewards of following Christ
Tvs. 2S-3D. %. Have left all
| Their boats and nets and fish and
father were everything to them. 20
THAT hath left house." etc. In the
days of Jesus those who followed
Him were obliged, generally, to for
| sake house and home, and to attend
| Him. In our time 1t Is not often re.
quired that we should literally leave
them, but it is always required that
we love them less than we do Him.
so. AN hundredfold. There
| are few greater promises than this
This is symbolical, and expresses an
| immeasurablea advantage. Houses
| etc. Not literally a hundred houses,
| etc, but he obtains a hundredfold
more of joy and satisfaction than he
loses What was barren rock be-
| fore becomes a gold mine" with
| prosecutions. That is, he must ex-
pect prosecutions in this world.
Eternal life" Which will infinite
ly more than make up for all the
Christians trials here. Here are
ages of enjoyment that no arithmetic
| can compute; oceans Of pleasure,
whose majestic pillows rise from the
| depths of infinitude, and break on no
| shore. 81. First shall be last. !"
The lesson intended to be taught
here is that those who occupy impor-
tant positions and who appear to be
! first in labor and wisdom here may
| place to others who have been of less
in the next world be forced to give
renown here. God does not measure
men as we do.