Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.
“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? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.” Mark 10:17-21
The man who approached Jesus had lot of respect for Jesus:
- He Runs
- He Kneels
- He calls Jesus ‘Good Master’
He see Jesus as an authoritative teacher and looks to him for an answer on the essential question of salvation.
The first thing Jesus does is, directs his attention to his God- Jesus directs the man’s thoughts to God the Father who is the source of eternal life and goodness. Jesus denied he was divine by this statement.
- Jesus states he has a God whom he follows
- The God of Jesus is the true source of goodness.
While Jesus was without sin, He attributes absolute goodness to God and that Jesus himself as a teacher of righteousness, did the will of his Father against his own will at times:
Mat 26:39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.“
God’s goodness directed Jesus. He was a well behaved and loved child.
Luk 2:40 And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.
Jesus’ victory has become an example for other fellow humans to follow. Jesus himself in his life and as a human had a choice: Choose Good or evil. This is also seen through his recorded temptations. Jesus’ victory is that he chose good over evil in its entirety according to the reference of goodness that comes from God. He met God’s standard of Goodness and righteousness.
His victory is summed up thus:
“Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.” Hebrews 1:9
God exalted Jesus for this very reason, because he chose right over wrong. Jesus was not elevated because he was already God or divine but that he had victory over SIN in his own life.
Jesus never promoted a trinity as promoted today. The [orthodox] Christianity of today is “Roman” Christian and not the one Jesus preached. Can one God of the Trinity cannot be ‘more good’ than the other God of the Trinity?
Jesus also demanded similar righteousness and commitment from the rich young man who called Jesus – ‘Good Master’ – i.e. to give up his riches and follow after the example of Jesus.
The above article was taken from: 51 of 100
