Mark 10:17-19 “As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 18 "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good-except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'"
God is interested in obedience not flattery! This passage in Mark 10 is a story of a well meaning young man who is morally upright but has issues in his heart that are blocking him from moving forward with God. This is a picture of so many people; almost willing. This young man has come to Jesus with an introduction that acknowledges Jesus as a good teacher, but based upon the Lord’s response He discerns something deeper behind the man’s words. It is as if this young man is seeking to gain a favorable response from the Lord through flattery. Seemingly his position as a young man raised in the presence of the rich has taught him a political correctness that knows how to acquire favor through pleasantness.
To this greeting Jesus gives a redirecting response, questioning the boy’s motive in this greeting. “Why do you call me good?” “No one is good but God alone.” It is as if Jesus is brushing aside the pretense of something like a false humility so that He can get to the heart of this young man. Jesus brings the man immediately to the measuring rod of God, the scriptures! It is interesting that Jesus does not ask the young man if he knows the commandments. It is with great certainty that Jesus declares “You know the commandments,” almost as if He is questioning the man’s motives in asking. It is as if Jesus is saying with this answer, why are you asking me? Let the commandments be your measuring rod! It is as if Jesus is exposing the fact that the young man is trying to convince his own heart in his asking.
The response of Jesus addresses a second issue as He deals with this young ruler. The young man addresses Jesus as “good teacher.” To this Jesus answers “why do you call me good?” “No one is good – but God alone.” This question is rich with tension in how Jesus provokes the man. The young man has connected the words good and teacher. Jesus connects the concepts of good and God! In this not so subtle way Jesus communicates the question “who do you think you are talking to?” Are you asking me as a teacher or are you asking me as God!? The man is seeking to be justified before God but he is directing his question to a man. To this Jesus essentially answers “who are you asking… me as a teacher or me as God?” Each one of us must settle this same question in regard to Jesus. Who do you think you are dealing with? Where does your justification come from!? Stand before God and let His word be the measuring rod of your life. God’s standards are clear!
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