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| 1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; |
A parable – A word-picture designed to illustrate some truth. Not necessarily a statement of the facts, but merely a suppositionary case. In a parable the thing said is never the thing meant literally. R5707:3
Always to pray – The thought of the abiding presence of the Father and the Son is that their thought and care and interest will be constantly upon us, and that at any instant we may engage the special attention of either or both. R1865:2
True faith makes sure of its ground by giving careful heed to the Lord's Word; and then, asking according to that Word, it has confidence in the results, and waits and prays and watches, perseveringly and patiently. R2005:5
After we have made sure that our prayers are in accord with the promises, those things which lie very close to our hearts become our continual prayers. R4983:5
We are to recognize a distinct difference between this and the vain repetitions of the heathen, which our Lord condemned--merely formal prayers, which are reprehensible in the Lord's sight. R5020:1,4; Q539:2
Not that they should never get off their knees, nor never do anything except pray, but that they should continue in their prayers and not grow faint or disheartened. R5310:3
Teaching continuity in prayer--not merely that we pray once, and then say, "I have prayed about this matter, and now I will leave it." R5708:3
God wishes us to be persistent, and our persistence measures and indicates the depth of our desires. R2865:6
Pray perseveringly. R5381:2*, 5310:6
Scripture examples fully warrant all-night prayer meetings, even for several days, such as our Lord's remaining all night in the mountain in prayer, and his long and repeated prayers at Gethsemane. R4347:2
Those who believe little of the Lord's promises, who trust him little, will pray to him little, will exercise little faith, and will have little joy and blessing in consequence. R3841:6
No amount of praying will make up for a neglect of a study of the Lord's Word. R5709:5
For eighteen hundred years the Church has been praying for deliverance, and God has not answered this prayer. But he will. Q539:3
We pray unceasingly, "Thy kingdom come," not by repeating the words every moment, but by continuing the thought, the expectation, the waiting for it, and by laboring in the interests of that Kingdom. R5709:5
Our prayers will not bring God's Kingdom one minute sooner than he has planned, but we pray by way of assuring the Lord that we are waiting for the Kingdom and expecting it in harmony with his sure promise. R5710:4, 5020:2, 2005:6
Other requests, for daily food, succor in temptation and deliverance from the evil one, have been promptly answered. R2005:6
Prayer is required, not to change God's plans, but to bring our hearts into such a condition as will prepare us to receive and appreciate the blessings God has freely promised. R1972:5
Whoever has not become a new creature has no privilege of prayer whatever. R5310:6
There is a difference between worship--adoration, homage, expressing thanks--which anyone may do; but making requests of God in prayer is a limited privilege. R5379:1
To be in the attitude of prayer at all times, full of thanksgiving to God. Q542:T; R5203:6
"Continuing instant in prayer." (Rom. 12:12) R1865:2, 5481:3
Delay in answering our request may be because it is not his due time; or he may want to develop in us faith and patient endurance. R5020:2, 3664:6
We should prayer for strength and wisdom to overcome the flesh and develop the fruits and graces of the holy Spirit. R5708:5
Prayer is absolutely indispensable to Christian growth and spiritual existence. R5709:4
Asking only for the things pleasing to God. R5708:1
That we may have God's sentiment, mind and will, as our sentiment, mind and will. R5709:2
We cannot come too often to the throne of heavenly grace, or tarry too long. R1865:3, 5311:5
And not to faint – Yield. R2005:5
Grow disheartened and discouraged because of the delay in the answer. R3841:1, 5310:3
Grow weary, hopeless, faithless. R4983:5
Used in the sense of faint-heartedness--"Consider Jesus lest ye be weary and faint in your minds," "for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." (Heb. 12:3; Gal. 6:9) R5710:1
Patiently waiting for the Lord's due time, faithfully trusting him that he is willing to give the blessing which he promised, even though he may for a time withhold it with a view to our becoming the more earnest in seeking it. R2865:6
God has the blessing and not only is able to give it, but has promised to do so. The delay in granting the request is because his due time has not come. Hence we are not to become weary, but to be constant in our prayers. R5020:2
It may be that, while we are praying, the Lord is not only preparing us for the blessing, but also preparing the circumstances and conditions which will bring us these opportunities and privileges in the best form. R3664:6
Our heavenly Father may will to bring us into such a condition of heart that we can appreciate his blessing. It may be God's will to delay the answer for our highest good. R5203:3
Not grow disheartened and discouraged because of delay in the answer. R3841:1, 5310:3
Have unwavering faith in God's willingness to give us his best gifts. R5481:3
One reason for delay in answering us is to test the strength and depth of our desires. R4983:5
After we have prayed for a certain thing, we should continue to keep it before our mind. R5311:5
By delaying the answer, God may want to bring us into such a condition of heart that we can appreciate his blessing. R5203:3, 3841:1
Jacob wrestled all night with the angel, unwilling to let him go until he blessed him. R2865:5
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| 2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:
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A judge – In olden times judges were to a large degree lawmakers as well as executives. R3841:1
Judges in oriental countries are notoriously corrupt and ready to violate public opinion in the attainment of selfish ends. R3841:1
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| 3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.
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Avenge me – As with the Church at the present time, we realize that we are suffering injustice. Q539:3
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| 4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;
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| 5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.
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I will avenge – So careful of his own convenience, that he would give her justice lest, by her continual coming, she would annoy him. R3586:6
Although he cared little for the principle itself. R5310:2, 3841:2
The woman's persistency illustrated what Jesus wished to emphasize. R5708:1
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| 6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.
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Unjust judge – Not that the Heavenly Father is an unjust judge, nor that the Church is a widow. R5708:1
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| 7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
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Shall not God – This parable does not compare this unjust judge with our heavenly Father. On the contrary, it contrasts the two. R3841:2
If an unjust judge be moved on account of importunity to do justice, how much more a just judge! R5020:1, 3841:2, 3586:6; Q539:2
Implying that the prayers are proper ones for the Lord to answer. In prayer we should make sure we ask only for the things pleasing to him. Christians who live near to God are the best qualified to offer acceptable prayer. R5708:1
Who is not unjust, and whose only object in delaying answer to our prayers is to work out for us a blessing of increased faith and trust. R3841:1
Avenge his own elect – Although he has permitted them to be maligned, slandered, misrepresented, for over eighteen centuries, the time will come when he will give them justice, when he will exalt them. R3586:6, 2920:4
Injustice will not forever obtain. The time will come, as we are told, when Satan shall be bound and deceive the people no more. (Rev. 20:2,3) Q539:3
Which cry – "O Lord, deliver us! deliver us from the adversary!" R5020:1; Q539:3
When his children thus cry to him, our Heavenly Father is sure to hear their prayers. R5708:1
Not with a hope of changing the Almighty, altering any of his plans and arrangements, but because they believe his promises and desire to assure their hearts in prayer that the Father has a due time for deliverance. R3841:3
As illustrated by the Syro-Phoenician woman's importunity. R2653:5
This implies that the prayers are proper ones for the Lord to answer. R5708:1
Though he bear long – Though he manifest no special haste in the matter, have confidence in God and in his promise that eventually the right shall triumph. R3841:3
If the answer be not quickly forthcoming, we neither conclude that God is an unjust judge, nor is selfishly careless of our interests except as we would bother him, but is as a loving heavenly parent. R3841:2
If the Lord shall not see best to grant a prompt response, we may be sure that it is not from lack of interest in our welfare. R2653:4 18:8
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Please see Rev. 6:9-10 and additional comments. |
| 8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
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He will avenge – According to their deeds, he will repay recompense to his enemies. He will render unto Babylon a recompense. (Isa. 59:18; Jer. 51:6) D39
Taken as a whole, the lesson to the Lord's people through this parable is that we are to have patience and not attempt to render vengeance upon our opposers. R3841:6
In the time of trouble. D39
"Avenge not yourselves. Vengeance is mine." (Rom. 12:19) "The day of vengeance is in my heart." (Isa. 63:4) R3841:5
Speedily – Either that, when the Lord's time shall come, he will make a short work with the great Adversary, or that the Lord will not really long delay in bringing in his Kingdom of righteousness. R3841:4
"A day with the Lord is as a thousand years." (2 Pet. 3:8) From this standpoint the whole period would be less than two days. What we need today is to take the Lord's standpoint in viewing matters. R3841:4
Nevertheless – A separate and distinct point from the parable. R3841:4
When the Son of man cometh – Is present. R2875:5
For the establishment of his Kingdom. Then the true faith would be seriously lacking, almost extinct, just as at the first advent. R3841:4
Shall he find faith – The faith. Q775:2; D592
The faith in this text would have the meaning of a system of belief or doctrines, as expressed in the Bible statement, "The faith once delivered to the saints." (Jude 3) Q775:2
This great falling away was predicted for the end of this age, and it therefore becomes another sign of the times. HG317:5; 369:5; R2875:5; D592; NS426:5
The intimation is that faith will somehow or other be on the decrease at that time. HG146:5
It would appear that, with more advantages than any previous generation, ours has less faith in God and less trust in the Bible as His Word. HG662:5
Associating these words with the parable foregoing, the implication is that the Church will not actually be helped until the first resurrection, at the Master's second advent. R3841:5
Perhaps a warning to his believers not to be lacking in faith as a guard against worldly influences; perhaps a declaration that the time would come when faith would become weak and small; or perhaps the pleading voice of a loving Master who would win our loyalty by suggesting the possibility of our failing in devotion. R3118:3*
The comparatively small results of our efforts to reach the ripe wheat in Babylon convince us, all the more, that the wheat is very scarce in comparison with the tares. R2740:3
Very scarce at present; and as the higher critics proceed, and as the evolution theories spread, faith in God and in his Word becomes more and more vague and lifeless. R2898:5
The Lord would permit or send strong delusions, that nominal professors, lacking the spirit of the truth, should be deceived. NS426:6
Reasons within the church: Higher Criticism, pulpit themes, the ways of the church and the neglect of parents to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; outside of the church: the character of the present strife for wealth, the love of pleasure, ease and self-indulgence, unrest under authority, the prevalence of suicide and the ready acceptance of the various forms of new thought. R3118:5*
Following the guidance of so-called Higher Critics, the rank and file of professors of colleges have lost their faith. Having lost faith in the Bible themselves, they think they are doing a real service in destroying the faith of others. HG662:6
Because our wise men tell us that the Bible is unreliable, that Christ's death was not redemptive, that future happiness depends upon cultivation of our mental and moral qualities and that Shakespeare and other writings are quite as good as the Bible. R2695:1
Because of the denial of the fall of man, and consequently the redemption from the fall by the precious blood of Christ. R1794:5
Higher criticism, evolution, worldly philosophy are undermining the faith of God's people, so that they are not believing nearly as much as their fathers did of God, his power and his character. HG146:5
Owing to the hundreds of conflicting creeds and doctrinal systems; the many "isms" and the strong delusions and multiplied errors. Q775:2
Contrary to the concept of world conversion before the second advent. R3004:3
The world will be far from being in a blessed condition at the Lord's second advent. R5573:6
These are the "perilous times" mentioned by the Apostle in 2 Thess. 2:10-12 and 2 Tim. 3:1-5. R2875:5
Not flourishing--not predominating. R2693:2
Evidently not to any great extent. It surely is very scarce at present. R1794:5, 2898:5
Implying that then the true faith would be difficult to find; almost extinct. R2740:3, 3841:4
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| 9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: |
Unto certain – Illustrated in our day by so-called "Holiness People," who claim they have not sinned for years. F157
They were righteous – Outwardly, they were very correct; but with many of them religion was a ceremony and the keeping of the law an outward obedience, which did not extend to the heart. R5464:1
Because their religious system was in advance of every other religious system in the world, the learned attributed a like superiority to themselves individually. R5926:3
Israel never fully appreciated the requirements of their Law Covenant, which no one but a perfect man could fulfil. R2121:3
There is a similar class in Christendom today, who are outwardly moral, very particular, exact, scrupulous, and yet not pleasing to the Lord. They are proud of their righteousness. R3841:6
Some today trust in church membership, their benevolences and general morality, for salvation, ignoring the fact that all are sinners. R5464:3
Despised others – A loveless sentiment which despised others and boasted of self, a self-satisfied and complacent condition of mind and heart, very reprehensible to the Lord, a condition of heart unready to be blessed with divine mercy. R2592:1
This was the secret of Israel's blindness to the Gospel. The religious leaders relied so implicitly upon their interpretations that they could not regard the humble Nazarene and his unlearned followers except as imposters. R5926:3
They had forms of righteousness, outward obedience to God and his laws, and piety and sanctity in outward appearance. R3360:1
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| 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
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A Pharisee – A moral man, in many respects a good man, but very conscious of all his righteous deeds and perfunctory observances of divine rules. R3842:1
In our Lord's parables he dealt chiefly with the Pharisees and the publicans: for the Sadducees were Jews in name only, not believing the Scriptures nor expecting a future life. R5464:1
A publican – Of a lower class, who did not profess holiness, but confessed estrangement from God. R5464:1, 3842:1
Disesteemed by the Pharisees as no longer Jews nor heirs of the Covenant promises. R3848:6
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| 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
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The Pharisee – Illustrating the lack of the quality of humility. R3842:6
Presenting the extremes of conceit, selfishness and hypocrisy. R1972:1
Prayed – It was merely self-adulation. R3842:2
Unlike lip prayers, heart prayers are always accompanied by efforts of life in harmony with the prayer. R1972:5
His prayer was not the kind the Father invites: "Worship . . . in spirit and in truth." (John 4:23, 24) R3842:1
With himself – Apparently his prayers did not ascend to the Lord, and it would be strictly true to say that he prayed with himself--heard himself pray, congratulated himself in the prayer, and rejoiced in his own self-consciousness generally. R3842:1
I am not – There are many approaches to this disposition which give sure signs that those who have and who are cultivating them will by and by mature the same kind of fruit unless they change their course. R1972:1
Trusted in his own imperfect works and asked no forgiveness. R5464:2, 3842:2
As other men – It is the intoxication that comes from imbibing the spirit of the world that leads to that foolish boasting of which man in his sober senses would be ashamed. R1972:2
Under false teachings, many professed Christians are indulging in false hopes, in thinking they are the Lord's people without having consecrated themselves to be his followers. NS410:4
All Christians, by virtue of their relation to God, have every reason to give thanks to the Lord that they differ from the majority of their fellow-creatures; but they have nothing whereof to boast. R3842:1
As this publican – The first thing for all such to learn is what constitutes a sinner from God's standpoint. In consequence of heredity, all are sinners, all are imperfect. NS410:5
Who realized his blemishes, and prayed for mercy. R5464:2
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| 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
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I fast twice – Going beyond anything that the Law required. He doubtless felt he was to be specially commended therefore. R3842:3
If we were to fast, starve ourselves to death, it would not be meritorious. No works can be of value except as based upon proper recognition of our own imperfections and proper acceptance of divine justification. R3842:3
Self denials of food are not the most estimable in God's sight. There are other desires of the flesh we are to strive to control, diminish and starve out, that we might proportionately flourish, be nourished spiritually and made strong. R3842:4
I give tithes – Proper enough, but the followers of Jesus are expected to consecrate their all to the Lord. How little the most energetic is able to accomplish! R3842:4
He was trusting in his own works of the flesh and was, therefore, as a Pharisee, rejecting the imputed righteousness of the Atonement Day sacrifices. R3842:2
A tenth of their increase was rendered to the priests. God has left spiritual Israel without any specific instructions of this kind. R2542:1, 3842:4, 2486:3, 2485:1
Giving one-tenth was nothing to boast of when it is remembered that the Lord is the bountiful giver of all good. R3842:4
Instead of merely one-tenth, we lay our little all upon the Lord's altar in consecration. R2486:4,5, 3842:4 18:13
The publican – Illustrating the quality of humility. R3842:6
Afar off – He did not approach close to the holy precincts of the Temple. He recognized the great difference between God's perfection and his own personal unworthiness. R3842:5
Would not lift up – The weight of sin was upon him. He could not look up to heaven. R5464:2
Smote upon his breast – Upon his heart, indicating that he accepted the divine sentence of death as well-deserved and merited. R3842:5
Be merciful – The simplicity of childhood, realizing its need, confesses it and asks mercy, instead of attempting to deceive itself by philosophizing. R1972:5
Somehow the unreasonable idea prevails that this prayer for a moment preceding the last gasp of life would change the eternal destiny of that person from the roads of ruin to the fields of Paradise and glory. NS575:2, 688:5
Humbly realizing his own unworthiness. R3842:5, 5464:2, 3836:1
This prayer, approved by our Lord, did not address Jehovah as "Father," but as God. R2251:3
A sinner – We all come short of perfection and need divine mercy. The sinner who recognizes this is more pleasing to God and nearer to forgiveness than the more moral person who fails to see his blemishes. R5464:2
If you do to the very best of your ability you will get a great lesson as to your inability to do perfectly. Q797:6
Prayers need not be lengthy, but they must be sincere, from the heart, and not a lip service. Heart prayers are always accompanied by efforts of life in harmony with the prayers; while lip prayers are usually in contradiction of the living epistle. R1972:5
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| 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
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| 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
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This man – The less moral, less scrupulously careful man. R4987:2
Justified – He was more nearly in a justified condition than the Pharisee. They were both in a condition of partial justification, like all the Jews; both were in a condition of tentative justification. Q699:3
Inwardly more acceptable to the Father. R3842:5
More acceptable because of his acknowledgment of sin. CR413:3; R3842:5; Q699:3
We must continue to admit our own imperfection, our need of mercy, and to trust in the precious blood, if we would continue to be "justified." R1972:4
Both classes are still represented in the world, amongst Christians. R5464:3
Than the other – From God's standpoint, both men were sinners, both needed forgiveness. R5464:2
That exalteth himself – The quality of pride is specially abominable to the Lord, because there is not a creature in the universe that has anything to be proud of. Everything that everyone has is a gift; it is not of his own manufacture or creation. R4898:2
What have we that we have not received from the Lord? Who hath made us to differ? (1 Cor. 4:7) R3842:2
Pride signifies self-satisfaction, and the corresponding ignoring of the all-sufficiency of our glorious Head, who said to us, "Without me ye can do nothing." (John 15:5) R3942:6
The besetting danger of spiritual pride. R5955:6
Shall be abased – He that exalteth himself is not to be exalted by the Church; for he will not be exalted by the Lord. R5322:4; F296
As illustrated by Satan. A189
Inflated values must at some time come down to a solid basis. R1486:6
What degradation can await such self-exaltation as is shown in the utterances of the Papacy! B313
Humbleth himself – As Christ did, to become man's Redeemer. E425
By facing popular opposition and enduring popular reproach. R1487:2
Pride, in its every form, should be so thoroughly humiliated, killed, that it can never rise again to destroy us. R4898:5
Shall be exalted – He that humbleth himself will be exalted, either by the vote of the congregation, or by the Lord's will. R5322:4
The Church should follow this general rule in selecting elders. F296
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time." (1 Pet. 5:6) R3079:2, 5955:6
This is God's rule, and blessing will come to us along that line or not at all. R1537:4
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| 15 And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. |
Infants – To enforce the teaching of the Pharisee and the publican, our Lord calls attention to the beautiful, artless simplicity of childhood as a pattern of what all must be who would enter the Kingdom of God. R1972:2
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| 16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
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Suffer – Permit. R5362:1, 4853:4
Little children – The great Teacher was a lover of children. R5362:1
Of such – Not as a little child in stature, nor in blankness of undeveloped character, but in humility, simplicity, guilelessness. "Be not children in knowledge [character], howbeit in malice be ye children." (1 Cor. 14:20) R2063:2
The joint-heirs of Messiah's Kingdom will all be childlike, teachable, simple, trustful, obedient children of God. R4853:4, 5362:2
Kingdom of God – The Kingdom is now ours by faith, in the same way we have every other heavenly blessing. R397:4
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| 17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.
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Feeling that the Lord's time was too valuable to be thus used. R5362:1
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| 18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? |
A certain ruler – Probably a publican or tax-gatherer. R1783:3
Supposed by some to have been Lazarus, whom Jesus later awakened from the dead. R3529:1
Asked him – He was anxious for a perfect conformity to the will of God; and so anxious that he manifested his willingness to bear reproach for it in thus coming to Jesus. R1774:6
Notwithstanding the persecuting spirit of the rulers and teachers in Israel against the Lord and all who believed in the validity of his claims, he came to him openly and saluted him with reverence due to so great a teacher. R1774:3
What shall I do – Indicating a realization that by deeds of the law no flesh had yet gained the life the law promised for obedience. R1774:3
Indicating most commendable candor and faith in the teacher. R1774:3
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| 19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.
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Jesus said – Our Lord, while dismissing the self-satisfied, fault-finding quibbles of the Pharisees with dark or evasive answers, took time and care in making truth clear and plain to the humble, earnest seekers. B27
Illustrating the great difficulty of getting a full, fair view of one's self, the value of every applied test of character. R1774:2
Callest thou me good – Are you addressing me as Good Master only as a complimentary salutation? If you really believe me to be good, you must believe in me as the sent of God. If my testimony is untrue in any particular, I am not good at all, but a falsifier, hypocrite, blasphemer. R2727:6
Everything really good must be of God and in accordance with God. R5465:2, 4658:3
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| 20 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.
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The commandments – The Law Covenant was still in force. It had not yet been "nailed to his cross." (Col. 2:14) R3843:2, 5465:3
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| 21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. |
Have I kept – Was living an exemplary life, but was merely doing his duty. R5438:6
He was a sincere Pharisee. R5464:2
From my youth – Sought to fashion his character to the precepts of the divine law. R1774:3
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| 22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
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Lackest thou one thing – There is none so perfect that he lacks nothing. R1775:4
There was a lack: his attitude, though he did not realize it, was not that of entire consecration to the will of God. R1774:6
Sell all – All thy possessions, all thy time, all thy reputation, all that hitherto has been dear to thee. R1775:1
One who believes that every dollar belongs to God, and is to be used by him, will not imagine that he has discharged all obligation by giving a tenth to the Lord. R1045:1
It may be quite true that giving one dollar now out of your capital would prevent you giving five dollars fifteen years hence. But one dollar now may be worth ten dollars fifteen years later. R1045:4
In the present age this implies self-sacrifice and daily cross-bearing in imitation of Christ. R1774:6
Distribute – To follow Christ is not to make unwise disposition of our possessions and talents, but as wise and faithful stewards, to use them to the best possible advantage in his service. R1775:1
Unto the poor – Not necessarily with the bread that perisheth, but first, rather, to feed the spiritually hungry with the bread of life. R1775:2
If there were a famine in the land, it would be folly to grind up all the seed-corn for food. But if, after feeding their families, the farmers were to put all the increase back into the ground while the world was starving, it would be worse than foolish, it would be criminal. R1045:4
"Love is the fulfilling of the Law." (Rom. 13:10) R2728:1
Treasure in heaven – Received of the Father, begotten of the holy Spirit. R5438:6
Joint-heirship with me in the Messianic Kingdom. R5438:6
Come, follow me – Following closely in his footsteps will bring ingratitude and even persecution, as it did to our Master. R1775:1
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| 23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. |
He was very sorrowful – He loved self more than either God or his neighbor. R1774:6
Let no man deceive himself by saying: "I will give when I have amassed wealth. I desire money that I may do good with it; but I will not give now, that I may give the more largely in the future." R1045:5
We hear nothing of his subsequent conversion, but in all probability he remained in sympathy with the Jewish teachers and partook more and more of their spirit of opposition to Christ and his teaching. R1774:6
Was very rich – The Lord sought to show what was the weak spot in his character. R1774:6
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| 24 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
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He was very sorrowful – No doubt the heart of Jesus was sad also when he saw the blight of selfishness and self-will attacking that promising half-blown rose of character. R1774:6
How hardly – Though difficult, it is not impossible. A man can have riches and use them conscientiously as a sacrificer. R1775:2
That have riches – Whether those riches be of reputation, fame, learning, money, or even common ease. HG716:6
Because of faith in their wealth instead of in God, because of the pride which riches foster, because of the friends which riches bring, and because of the proportionately larger sacrifices which must be made. R2729:1
If a Christian grows rich, it should be with fear and trembling. It is more dangerous than dynamite. R1045:5*
The kingdom of God – Used interchangeably with "kingdom of heaven." (See Matt. 19:24) R397:1
The Body of Christ; certainly not the nominal church, for rich men find very little difficulty in getting into it. R2761:3
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| 25 For 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.
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A needle's eye – A small gate in the walls of ancient cities for the convenience of belated travelers after sundown, after the main city gates were closed. These needle-eyes were so low that camels could enter them only upon their knees and after being stripped of their burdens. R2762:3
Rich man to enter – He cannot get into the Kingdom at all except as he strips himself of his riches, sacrificing them and devoting them to the Lord. R2762:1
Kingdom of God – The Church is the Kingdom now, only in the prospective sense. R397:4
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| 26 And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved? |
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| 27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.
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Possible with God – He has made provision for the rich young ruler and all the families of the earth, under his established Kingdom. R3845:1
If a rich disciple be honest-hearted and humble, the Lord can show him how to wisely use his wealth, or else may strip him of it, to fit him for the Kingdom. R5466:2
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| 28 Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee. |
We have left all – The Lord communicated to them a measure of his spirit and power--the equivalent to much that is now granted to the spirit-begotten ones of this age. R4909:1,2
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| 29 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake,
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He said unto them – The special light of both harvests is for the Israelites indeed. B26, B27
That hath left house – The harvest is not a time for peace, but on the contrary it will surely produce separation and alienations between true wheat and all else. R969:6
We are not to get the mistaken idea from this that the Lord wishes us to sacrifice others. It would be wrong to deprive our families of necessary comforts and temporal provisions; but having provided these, the surplus is the Lord's. R3845:5
Kingdom of God's sake – Fathers, mothers, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, will oppose and seek to separate you from the truth and its service. R969:5
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| 30 Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the age to come life everlasting.
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Manifold more – The more we leave, the more we sacrifice, the greater our reward, both now and hereafter. R3845:3
Those who sacrifice nothing need expect no reward. Those who receive little of the Lord in the present life and have small hope of a share in the Kingdom, are those who have sacrificed little for his sake. R3845:3
The world to come – The Millennial age. HG12:4
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| 31 Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.
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| 32 For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on:
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| 33 And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.
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Put him to death – The treatment due the vilest of criminals--crucifixion. R5483:2
He shall rise again – Incomprehensible to the disciples, and dismissed as a dark saying. R5483:2
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| 34 And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken. |
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| 35 And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging: |
He was come nigh – With our Lord and his apostles was a considerable number of friends, together with numerous Pharisees. R3847:6
A blind man – Bartimeus. R3847:6
Physical blindness is a terrible affliction, but how much more serious is mental and spiritual blindness. These are cut off by false doctrine from the ability to see the grandeur of the divine character and plan. R3848:2
These are blind and cannot see afar off--they can merely see the affairs of the present life with its eating and drinking, planting and building, laughing and crying, living and dying. R3848:2
"The god of this world hath blinded the minds of them that believe not." (2 Cor. 4:4) R3848:2
Sat by the way side – Hoping to excite the sympathy of the passers-by. R3847:6
Begging – In those days there was no special provision for the blind, and there were many of them in those parts. R3847:6
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| 36 And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant. |
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| 37 And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.
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| 38 And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. |
Thou son of David – "The Lord shall give him the throne of his father, David." ( Luke 1:32) C257
The long-promised King of David's line, the Messiah. PD65/77; C257; R3847:6; SM210:2
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| 39 And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou son of David, have mercy on me. |
Rebuked him – When the spiritually blind cry for help, there are sure to be some, even amongst the Lord's friends, to rebuke them instead of to encourage. R2730:4
Hold his peace – Intimating that the great Teacher should not be interrupted by a wayside beggar. R3847:6
The thought is suggested to such that there are many more worthy than themselves to have the Master's attention, that they are too insignificant, too sinful for him to recognize. R3848:3
So much the more – The persistency which belongs to true faith. R3848:1
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| 40 And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him, |
To be brought – He did not shout for him to come, but commanded, "Let him be brought." R3847:6
Giving those about him an opportunity to share in the work of blessing. R2729:3
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| 41 Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee?
And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight. |
What wilt thou – Many today, when asked this question, request riches, honors of men or temporal blessings of some sort. R3848:4
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| 42 And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.
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Thy faith hath saved thee – He was of a sincere heart, and was persistent. R3848:1
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| 43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God. |
Received his sight – There were many blind men throughout Palestine, yet only comparatively few received such a blessing; undoubtedly because few had the requisite faith. R3848:1
Illustrating some at the present time who are brought to the Lord and graciously receive the opening of the eyes of their understanding. R3848:3
Such do receive enlightenment, and enlightenment by which they can see Him who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. R3848:4
Only the great Physician is able to open the eyes of the understanding. R2730:4
Glorifying God – An evidence that he was of sincere heart. R3848:1
All the people – So today, when one comes to a knowledge of the divine character and plan, all who are in accord with the Lord are not only ready to assist them to the Lord, but ready also to join in praise on their behalf. R3848:5
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