Chapter 28—The Reward of Grace
This chapter is based on
Matthew 19:16-30
;
Matthew 20:1-16
;
Mark
10:17-31
;
Luke 18:18-30
.
The truth of God’s free grace had been almost lost sight of by the
Jews. The rabbis taught that God’s favor must be earned. The reward
of the righteous they hoped to gain by their own works. Thus their
worship was prompted by a grasping, mercenary spirit. From this
spirit even the disciples of Christ were not wholly free, and the Saviour
sought every opportunity of showing them their error. Just before He
gave the parable of the laborers, an event occurred that opened the way
for Him to present the right principles.
As He was walking by the way, a young ruler came running to
Him, and kneeling, reverently saluted Him. “Good Master,” he said,
“what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?”
The ruler had addressed Christ merely as an honored rabbi, not
discerning in Him the Son of God. The Saviour said, “Why callest
thou Me good? There is none good but one, that is, God.” On what
ground do you call Me good? God is the one good. If you recognize
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Me as such, you must receive Me as His Son and representative.
“If thou wilt enter into life,” He added, “keep the commandments.”
The character of God is expressed in His law; and in order for you to
be in harmony with God, the principles of His law must be the spring
of your every action.
Christ does not lessen the claims of the law. In unmistakable
language He presents obedience to it as the condition of eternal life—
the same condition that was required of Adam before his fall. The Lord
expects no less of the soul now than He expected of man in Paradise,
perfect obedience, unblemished righteousness. The requirement under
the covenant of grace is just as broad as the requirement made in
Eden—harmony with God’s law, which is holy, just, and good.
To the words, “Keep the commandments,” the young man an-
swered, “Which?” He supposed that some ceremonial precept was
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