Chapter 57—“One Thing Thou Lackest”
This chapter is based on
Matthew 19:16-22
;
Mark 10:17-22
;
Luke
18:18-23
.
“And when He was gone forth into the way, there came one run-
ning, and kneeled to Him, and asked Him, Good Master, what shall I
do that I may inherit eternal life?”
The young man who asked this question was a ruler. He had great
possessions, and occupied a position of responsibility. He saw the
love that Christ manifested toward the children brought to Him; he
saw how tenderly He received them, and took them up in His arms,
and his heart kindled with love for the Saviour. He felt a desire to be
His disciple. He was so deeply moved that as Christ was going on His
way, he ran after Him, and kneeling at His feet, asked with sincerity
and earnestness the question so important to his soul and to the soul of
every human being, “Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit
eternal life?”
“Why callest thou Me good?” said Christ, “there is none good but
One, that is, God.” Jesus desired to test the ruler’s sincerity, and to
draw from him the way in which he regarded Him as good. Did he
realize that the One to whom he was speaking was the Son of God?
What was the true sentiment of his heart?
This ruler had a high estimate of his own righteousness. He did
not really suppose that he was defective in anything, yet he was not
altogether satisfied. He felt the want of something that he did not
possess. Could not Jesus bless him as He blessed the little children,
and satisfy his soul want?
In reply to this question Jesus told him that obedience to the com-
mandments of God was necessary if he would obtain eternal life; and
He quoted several of the commandments which show man’s duty to
his fellow men. The ruler’s answer was positive: “All these things
[519]
have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?”
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