Evening star., 1928-04-28

Christianity has never been tried In
this world because only q few, COM
paratively speaking, have been willing
10 pay the cost of discipleship. Saliva
ton has been given to us without cost
and MANY have failed to meet the acid
test of their profession in paying for
the upkeep of the Lords work. Like
the rich young ruler of the lesson, who
had not learned the necessity OF CIV
ing God all his possessions; like the
poor pauper widow of this weeks les
son, many professors fail when they
face the financial requirements OF
Christs cause and the needs or His
church.
The two incidents, assigned for this
weeks study. have nodded humanity
and the history OF Christianity. yet the
names of both the rich young ruler
and the poor widow remain among the
unknown persons who have contributed
to the worlds advancement. We would
have recorded their names and tolt'
more about their social positions, but
God does not think as we do about such
matters. The young man, who In all
probability was the ruler OF the local
synagogue at Bethabara. took advan-
tage of his last opportunity to present
his personal problem to the Master as
He was about to cross the Jordan to
make His farewell visit To Jerusalem
and To be offered upon the cross for
the sins of men, while the poor widow
did not know that the Lord was watch
ing her make her donation OF all her
living for His glory The lesson gives
us In the two miniatures study In
contrasts that clearly teaches the cost
of being disciple of Christ Jesus.
The Rulers Problem.
There Is much about the question that
the young ruler asked Christ that has
the marks OF our own day and age. Men
who have accumulated money are still
seeking. with those who have not much
wealth. happiness. The great search oil
humanity is one to obtain peace. Joy
and satisfaction. While the record tells
lis that he was young. we do not know
his age, for 1t applies to one from early
manhood to middle age. He had evil
IDENTIFY inherited fortune and been
favored with the best OF religious In
struction. so that he occupied position
OF prestige and authority among his
people as a ruler. Some have suggested
that he was a member Of the Sanhe-
tirin. He was dissatisfied with his OWL
life and faith. He recognized that he
needed something more. so he did the
courageous thing TO present his problem
to Jesus. What lack I yet?"
He had addressed the Master lightly as
good" so the Lord in His reply brought
him face to face with the fact that he
knew that only one was entitled TO bt
called good, and that was God. Having
directed the young man 10 God, Jesus
then caused him to consider for mo-
ment the law, mentioning only those
that related to mans duty to his fellows
The young man had appealed TO tho
Lord. whose eye had quickly read his
character and noted his weakness. His
love went out TO the ruler for he was
an unusually high class type OF man.
hood and He would have been pleased
TO have enrolled him among His fol
lowers, which He could not do until He
had made the ruler see his shortcom-
ings Although he had claimed that
he had kept the law. Jesus told hin
that from His point OF view there was
zone thing thou lackest."
Jesus had detected the deficiencie:
OF the young man. He was proud oil
position and OF his life. The ruler wa
mistaken about his record as keeper
OF the law. Jesus is the only one who
has ever kept all the commandments
He had only considered his outward
acts and failed TO take into account hi:
duty to honor God. He was thinking
in terms of selfishness. II he had not
committed murder. adultery or beer
guilty of theft or fraud, he insisted that
Il am not as other men" What laci
I yet?" 1t. was all T. Not What will
thou have me to dtl?"