Mark 10:17-31
Jesus Says No One is Good But God Alone
17 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: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’”
20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”
21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”
24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”
27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
28 Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!”
29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
Jesus teaches us about the rich and His Kingdom...In His teaching He tells us that Only God is good...And along with God's Goodness, Jesus also tells us God is Perfect, when He tells us to be Perfect like God is Perfect (Matthew 5:48)...
Jesus, in His interactions with other people, often challenged the prevailing notions of goodness...He did not speak much about our perfection, because He knows we sin and that is why He came to earth...But when He encountered individuals who prided themselves on their religious observances, their charitable deeds, or their social status or their own goodness, He would start teaching us about our imperfections...This understanding of human imperfection and the transformative power of God's Grace is central to the Christian message and knowing Jesus...
Jesus, with unwavering and perfect clarity, declared, "None are good but God Alone" (Luke 18:19 and Mark 10:18)...This statement is not merely a philosophical observation, but a profound theological Truth with far-reaching implications about God and also about life...
Firstly, it underscores the absolute sovereignty of God...God, by His Very Nature, is the source of all goodness...He is the ultimate standard of Perfection, Possessing Infinite Unconditional LOVE, justice, Mercy, and Grace...All goodness, whether found in human beings or in creation, ultimately originates from God...
Secondly, love like goodness comes from God...By His Very Nature, He is The Source of all love in the world...We learned love from God...We love because He LOVED us first...
Thirdly, there is a human tendency towards self-righteousness...We often strive for goodness, seeking approval and validation from others...However, Jesus reminds us that true goodness and love flows from God and can only be achieved through a relationship with Him...It is not about our own efforts or accomplishments, but about allowing God's Grace to transform us from within...
Some unbelievers may wonder why praise and worship God...But with Perfect LOVE and Perfect Goodness and knowing where they originated from, we better see God...So fourthly, these passages emphasize the importance of praise, worship and adoration directed solely towards our Father...As the source of all goodness and love, only God deserves our ultimate love, praise, and worship...When we prioritize other things – wealth, power, pleasure, or even our own accomplishments – we divert our attention and affection from the True Source of all LOVE and goodness...
Furthermore, Jesus' declaration challenges us to examine our own understanding of "goodness."...In a world often obsessed with appearances and external achievements, the True Unconditional Eternal Goodness, according to Jesus, is rooted in LOVE, forgiveness, grace, humility, and a commitment to serving others...It is about reflecting the character of God in our daily lives, seeking justice and mercy, and striving to live in harmony with His will...
Finally, Jesus' statement highlights the inherent limitations of human goodness...We are all flawed and imperfect beings, prone to sin and self-centeredness...But Jesus still in His Sermon on the Mount to be Perfect like God is Perfect is challenging to me as a flawed human...True goodness, therefore, is not something we can achieve on our own...But is a gift, a fruit of the Spirit, that is bestowed upon us through our relationship with God...
In conclusion, Jesus' declaration that "none are good but God alone" is a profound Truth that challenges us to re-evaluate our understanding of goodness...It reminds us of our dependence on God, the source of all true goodness, and calls us to strive for a life that reflects His LOVE, His forgiveness, His Grace, and His mercy...