Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1906-08-22
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
LESSON TX, THIRD QUARTER, INTER-
NATIONAL SERIES, AUG. 90.

Bext of the Lesson, Mark X, 1871.
Memory Verses, 20, 24-GOIden Text,
Matt. xvi, 24-Commentary Prepared
by Rev. ID. NJ. Stearns.
copyright 1905, by American Press Association.1
Our last six lessons have been found
only in Luke's gospel, but now we
have one recorded by Matthew, Mark
and Luke, a little more fully in some
respects by Mark and in others by Mat
thew, and in each gospel the story i'm
mediately follows that of the little chill
dren whom He took up in His arms
and blessed. saying, "Of such is the
kingdom of Cod" The two incidents
of the children and the rich young ruler
illustrate the saying. "He hath filed
the hungry with good things and the
rich He hath sent empty away duke
i. so. Taken together they illustrate
more fully the lessons taught by the
publican and Pharisee in last weeks
lesson. The Pharisee was full Of him.
self and his doings, thought he needed
nOIll0R, dSktu lOl hOlhlhS HAA0
received nothing, whereas the publican
thought nothing of himself, knew that
he had nothing but sin, needed mercy
and asked for it and received it. The lit
tie children, being empty and helpless,
were blessed and filed, but the young
ruler being full Of himself, went away
emptv. But let us consider him. He
was evidently earnest and fearless ana
humble, for Jesus had gone forth into
the way or street, and in contrast to
Nieodemus, another ruler, this man
came publicly and in the day and, run
ming to Him, kneeled down in the way,
with his eager question concerning
eternal life. He did not know that the
gift Of God is eternal life and that this
life is in His Son, and he that hath the
Son hath life Rom. vi, %; l John v,
II. 12), but he was hungry for some
thing he did not possess. Our Lords
reply to his Good Master" seems to
imply, since only God is good, do you
recognize Me as God? Then He re-
ferred him to the perfect Righteousness
of the wondrous law given by Himself
long before out of the midst Of the fire
and which He had come to fulfill
that law which Is so holy and just and
good that sinful man cannot keep 1t,
but Jesus came to fulfill it and mag
nifty it and become the end Of the law
for righteousness to every one receiv-
ing Him (Gal. iv. 4. 5; iii, 10; Rom.
K, 4.
The young man, blinded, like Saul of
Tarsus, by his self Righteousness, re-
piled, "Master, all these have l observ-
ed from my youth" Verse 20). This
time he does not say Good Master"
He is not willing to acknowledge God
in Christ nor himself as sinner. Then
our Lord knowing what was In man,
nut his hand right on the sore place,
with the words. go thy way, sell
whatsoever thou hast and give to the
poor and come, take up the cross
and follow me- Verse 2D. The ruler
thought he had kept the whole law, but
now unwittingly acknowledges that
his possessions are more to him than
God or life eternal and therefore he Is
guilty Of breaking the first of the com
mandments and. according to Jas. II,
10. all of them. We know the grace OF
our Lord Jesus Christ that though He
was rich for our sakes He became poor
QI Cor. viii. o.. but few are willing to
follow His steps in this matter, not
withstanding the familiar benediction
prayer that it may be so. AS the young
man went sorrowfully away Jesus re-
marked. Glow hardly shall they that
have riches enter into the kingdom OF
God" explaining it by, GLOW hard is
It for them that trust in riches to en-
ter into the kingdom Of God" Seeing
the establishment of the disciples He
said in answer to their "Who, then, can
be saved?" with God all things are
possible.
In Cor i. &c. it does not say not
any wise not any mighty. are called,
but not many wise. not many mighty,
so that some one has said thank God
for the letter M" Joseph of Arima-
thea was a rich man, Abraham and
David and others were rich men, and
the grace of God can save rich as well
as DOOR but riches are. as a rule, a
hindrance rather than help to saliva
ton: hence the admonition to Timothy,
"Charge them that are rich in this
world that they be not high minded nor
trust in uncertain riches, but in the liv-
ing God. who giveth us richly all things
tn enjoy" Il Tim. vi. ~.
Our Lord having spoken to the rich
man Of treasure in heaven, Peter re-
marked: eve have left all and follow
ed Thee. What shall we have there
fore" Verse 2S with Matt xix, 27)
Our Lord made answer that all who
forsake all for His sake and the Cos
pels shall receive an hundredfold now
in the way Of houses, brethren sisters,
mothers, children and lands and in the
world to come eternal life. Many a
whole hearted follower Of Christ can
testify TO the literal fulfllment Of this
In the things and people that have be-
come theirs for the gospels sake. The
hundredfOld-tha is. 10000 per cent
has been realized in the souls saved
and in other ways. Ask d. L. Moody,
now in heaven, and DR.. Torrey and
others who have been used in like
manner. ! myself can testify that
few dollars Of class offerings which
might have been lawfully used for per-
sonal use as a recOmpense for labor.
renowned for His sake have brought
me for missions in fifteen years over
100000. His word stands true to all
who prove Him Mal. Ill, 10. We
shall in due time see that the twelve
thrones and rule over the twelve tribes
Matt xix. 2S: Luke xii. %. 30) will
be literally fulfilled also. We must not
omit the two words. with Dersecu-
tions," however unattractivc they may
be. but see John Ky. 1921; xvi. Ia;
Acts xiv, 90. and remember that as He
was made Dprfect through suffering