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Chapter 57—The Rich Young Ruler Lacked One
Thing
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
running, and kneeled to Him, and asked Him, Good Master, what
shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”
This young man, a ruler, had great possessions and a position
of responsibility. He saw the love Christ manifested toward the
children, and his heart kindled with love for the Saviour. He was
so deeply moved that He ran after Christ and, kneeling at His feet,
asked with sincerity and earnestness the question so important to his
soul and to every human being.
“Why callest thou Me good?” said Christ, “there is none good
but One, that is, God.” Jesus desired 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, yet he
felt the want of something he did not possess. Could Jesus bless him
and satisfy his soul want?
In reply, Jesus told him that obedience to the commandments
of God was necessary if he would obtain eternal life. The ruler’s
answer was positive: “All these things have I kept from my youth
up: what lack I yet?”
Christ looked into the face of the young man, as if reading his
life and searching his character. He loved him and hungered to give
him peace and joy. “One thing thou lackest: go sell whatsoever thou
hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven:
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and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”
Christ was drawn to this young man. The Redeemer longed to
create in him that discernment to see the necessity of heart devotion.
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