THE K I N G ’S BUS I NES S
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spotted moral rectitude, which was good so far as it went. His interpretation at the law was mechanical. , ‘'His next question, “What lack I yet?” reveals the fact th a t his hungry soul, however, was not satisfied and the yearning for rest filled him. He thinks he is ready to do anything. He still thinks he is able to meet the demands whatever they may be. This picture shows us the true inward ness of the Pharisaical heart, f (Luke 18:12.) Had this young man been under the power of the spirit of the law, he would have confessed “All these have I broken from my youth up.” Tie would have confessed himself a needy sinner (John 8:9). “And they which heard it ,. being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by -one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last;' and Jesus was left Standing alone, and' the woman in the m idst.“ But he throws down the gauntlet, and the Lord accepts the challenge. (3) THE SEARCHING TEST OF SIN CERITY, vs. 21, 22. If the young man wants a perfected life; if he wants his soul to glow with peace; if he wants the rest of fa ith ; if he longs for eternal life,—there is a plain way, a simple way, for him,—“Sell all th a t thou hast—gWe to tlie poor—- come follow me.” Note the contrast between the reply of our Lord here, and His answer to' the question of the woman a t the well. To her He did not say “Sell all thou hast,” but He did say “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is th a t saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldst have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water (eternal life).” Look a t the enthusiast now! He is rudely awakened. Sell all? Leave his home, his possessions, his position, and follow the hated Nazarene? He was looking for some new commandment, not for such a practical demonstration as this. He believes in eternal life, he wants it, but he is not willing to pay the price, if th a t price means the im poverishment of himself: f y
i What a strait he is in! What of des tiny hangs on his decision! ,He must choose between Christ and his posses sions; between his home on earth and an eternal home. He would have been willing to lift his hand for prayer, per haps; or he would have joined,a church; but to surrender all,— this Was too much! Uis heart is laid bare, disclos ing the fact th a t it is the love of wealth which, after all, .dominates him. l The failure of th e young man con sisted in his failure to brush aside his earthly possessions in order th a t he might possess eternal life through Jesus Christ who is “the Way, the Truth ana the Life.” ; He came running. He went away re*- luctantly. He came hopeful. He went away hopeless. He came seeking. He went away sorrowing. His desire for eternal life was, after all, secondary to his desire for wealth, and no man can serve two masters. (MattU 6:24.). Where did he go? Can you picture his attempts to be happy in the posses sion of those things which had cost him eternal life? He had sinned against light and eternal misery would be his portion. . . . . . . n There is a test in every man’s life. Eternal life is offered to all. To accept Christ is to yield the will, the life, to Him. Happy those who submit and enter into the joys of th a t life,—age- abiding! (4) SOLEMN WARNING ABOUT RICHES, vs. 23-26. There is no evading the awful, sol emn warnings concerning the snare of riches; “How hardly shalL those who have riches enter I n !” (Mark 10:23). All through the New Testament are hung up the red lights,--warning of danger. “The rich he-hath sent empty away.” (Luke 1:53.) “A certain rich man . . . Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee.’! (Luke 12:16, 20). “A ’certain rich man, clothed in pur-
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