Evening star., 1921-01-15
OUR ALL FOR THE KINGDOM
Matthew, 19.16-30.
Golden text: Thou shalt love
thy neighbor as thyself. Matt,
1919.
BY REV. HUGH r. STEVENSON.


Our lesson presents to US a portrait
Of a character whom Mark tells US
Jesus loved. The reason that Christ
admired the young ruler was not due
to his personal morality. although he
the days of his youth. because Christ
knew that he was deficient. in spite
of his claims. The clean-cut charac-
ter of this wealthy religious leader is
revealed by his courageous coming at
that hour to seek knowledge from
had not found in his position in the
religious life of his day or in his i'm
mense fortune any peace of mind.
He came to Jesus seeking light upon
the theme which the Jews of that pc
riod frequently discussed. The Mas
humble and eager questioner when he
approached Him with the hope Of OBJ
tanning information that would en-
able him to make sure Of eternal life
1t was a rare thing for one in his
position to think seriously of reli-
his time to the social life of his day.
the rich young ruler of the syna-
gogue. If not a member Of the San
hedrin. devoted his time to the at
fairs Of God. He laid aside all con-
ditions OF his rank and prestige that
, question which disturbed his soul.
Christ knew that the earnest and
humble Questioner did not understand
!, the mystery of His character. The
young ruler recognized that the Lord
possessed a peace. serenity and su-
premacy of soul. which he coveted
for his own The Master saw the pos
sibilities Of a great spiritual life in
the young man, who ran and knelt
before Him, seeking suggestions as to
what he had to do to obtain eternal
life. In fact. his heart went out to
him. and he tried to aid the young
| ruler by pointing out his deficiencies
with the hopes Of winning him for
His service.
Few would have noticed the de-
appeared to be an ideal young man,
for his deficiencies were partly hid
den. One would not have said that
| the humble. prostrated ruler was
proud. yet he evidently was proud
of his attainments in keeping the
| that he was blameless concerning the
law, yet later, although he claimed
that. II any man had a right to
boast, he had more right; yet he
taught that the righteousness OBJ
tanned by the law was worthless: Men
who have great moral excellence
without the knowledge of God in
Christ Jesus, are apt to be proud
men-that is, proud OF themselves.
It was necessary that the Lord place
before this young man the fact that
there was a higher law than Sinai.
The unmasking of the inquiring
rulers defects revealed that. al
though he was a religious leader. yet
he was ignorant concerning the re-
quirements of Jehovah. He was thor
oughly informed concerning the re-
uuirements Of the law, but he was
profoundly ignorant concerning its
true spiritual import. He did not
see that the keeping Of the Com
mandments called for something more
than the observance of the letter of
the law. He thought that by doing so
he could secure eternal life. 1t could
not be earned. Eternal life is i'm
parted by the grace Of God in ac-
cordance with certain fixed spiritual
laws. He did not understand that
the commands against murder. adul-
terry, theft and love to ones neigh
Dor. as called for in the Jaw. had
respect to the affections Of the soul,