17.   And as he was going forth into the way, there ran one to him, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? 18   And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good save one, even God. 19   Thou knowest the commandments, Do not kill, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor thy father and mother. 20   And he said unto him, Teacher, all these things have I observed from my youth. 21   And Jesus looking upon him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. 22   But his countenance fell at the saying, and he went away sorrowful: for he was one that had great possessions.
      23   And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 24   And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! 25   It is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 26   And they were astonished exceedingly, saying unto him, Then who can be saved? 27   Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for all things are possible with God.

For verses 1-16 see Notes.

Verse 17. What do we know about this man's age? his rank? his wealth? (Matt. 19:20; Luke 18:18; Mark 10:20, 22; Luke 18:23). Would we not consider him as very likely and desirable candidate for salvation? Does God judge like men in such matters? 1 Cor. 1:26, etc. What did this man ask Jesus? Does his question indicate that he considered himself an heir of eternal life? How does this life come? Rom. 6:23.

Verse 18. Did Jesus mean to deny that He was good? (John 8:29-46). What then did He mean? (Heb. 4:15; 1 Pet. 2:22).

Verse 19. What commandments did Jesus mention? (2 Cor. 3:7). If a man had kept the Law perfectly, what would have been the result? Rom. 10:5; Gal. 3:12.

Verse 20. What did the young man think he had done? Was he correct about that? Who else was "blameless" in his own estimate and that of his fellows, and yet was a lost sinner? Phil. 3:6. Did this young ruler himself feel that something was lacking? (Matt. 19:20).

Verse 21. What was Jesus' attitude toward him? How did Jesus lay bare his lack to him? Did Jesus make this demand on him because He hated him or loved him? Was this demand made of every rich man that came to Jesus? (1 Tim. 6:17-19). But whether actually given

away or not, must each man's possession be surrendered into the hands of Jesus? (Luke 14:33). Does the possession of wealth involve great responsibility? Does not the use of our money indicate whom or what we love most? What two masters cannot be served simultaneously? Matt. 6:24. What does God tell us about the love of money? 1 Tim. 6:10. How is the love of money known? What does God say about Christians who want to become rich? 1 Tim. 6:9. [191]

Verse 22. Why did he go away sorrowful? If he had responded to Jesus' word would he have been sorrowful? "He went away"--where did he go? What did he have to go to when he went away from Jesus? (John 6:67, 68; 14:6). Could his wealth make up for his loss when he gave up Jesus?

Verses 23, 24. What so amazed the disciples? What addition did Jesus make to His first statement when he spoke the second time? Is it not next to impossible for a man to have riches and not to trust in them? In what are we apt to feel more security--in a good bank account or in the promises of God for our keeping and sustenance? Is it easier for a man to trust in God when he had little possession on the earth? (Jas. 2:5). Why then are so many set to accumulate and treasure up all they can?

Verse 25. Dies Jesus here describe difficulty or an actual impossibility? (v. 27.)

Verses 26, 27. What was the effect of this teaching on the disciples? What question did they ask? What did Jesus say was impossible with men? Is that true of the unsaved rich only or of all sinners? To whom only is it possible to save the lost? (Eph. 2:1-10.)

ON DIVORCE (Mark 10:2-12).

      The most important teaching in the first part of today's lesson-chapter is on Divorce. The Pharisees came--trying to ensnare Him in His words, as always--and asked Him, "Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife?" Jesus answered, "What did Moses command you?" They replied, "Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away." This was true (Deut. 24:1-3) but was no part of the original will of God. Had they been a willing and obedient people, God would have led them the better way from the first; but, because of their hardness of heart, in His wisdom, in mingled mercy and judgment, God made them this concession (not without protest, Mal. 2:14, 16) until a better day. Just as He gave Balaam, bent upon going on his unworthy errand, permission to Go (Num. 22:1-20); just as He conceded to Israel their God-dishonoring request for a King (1 Sam. 8)--so in this matter. Because of their evil disposition God made certain allowances and gave them statues that were not good in the highest sense (Ezek. 20:25). He "let them go after the stubbornness of their heart." (Ps. 81:12). It is evident, however, that this was merely sufferance (Matt. 19:8); for it was not that they must do this in case of domestic disaffection, but they might do it. Those who honored and feared God supremely would not avail themselves of this permission to put away their wives.

DIVORCE AND RE-MARRIAGE.

      Privately, in answer to His disciples' question, Jesus told them, that "whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her; and if she herself shall put away her husband and marry another, she committeth adultery." The "putting away" is evidently not mere separation (which in extreme cases may be permissible, 1 Cor. 7:10, 11) but a divorce, such as in civil courts, would leave the parties free to remarry. To remarry upon such a divorce (unless it was obtained on the one ground of "fornication," which breaks up the marriage covenant) is adultery. If the cause of the divorce is the scriptural one, however, the Lord makes an exception (Matt. 19:9): the innocent party is free to remarry without in that case being guilty of adultery. Let all remember Heb. 13:4. The marriage-bond is sacred, and God will not let them go unpunished who violate it. [192]

Source: First Lord's Day Lesson of May. Lesson 5. May 5, 1918. Jesus Sets New Standards of Living (Mark