Knowing Good

Mark 10:17-18 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.”
 
LUKE refers to this man as a ruler, and Matthew noted he is young. He is a rich young ruler with authority and position among the Jews. He knows how to profit from his work. He’s a man who knows what to do to get results.
   What does he want to do? He wants to inherit eternal life. Since inherit means to receive as a gift, he is asking what he must do for the gift of eternal life. And he comes with passion. This young ruler, familiar with giving orders, goes to Jesus on his knees, seemingly humble and contrite. When he then addresses Jesus as “Good teacher.” we can assume he is completely open to hear and do as Jesus says. Surely Jesus would quickly answer the man’s eternal question.
   But eternal life requires that one knows God. That’s why Jesus responds, “No one is good – except God alone.” We could easily understand Jesus is separating himself from God – “God is good. I’m not!” Instead Jesus is telling the man and all those around him that he is, indeed, God. He is not a good man or rabbi. He is the good God incarnate. Knowing that makes all the difference for one’s eternal life.
   “Good” is Scripture’s first revelation of God. The creation account is marked with each day’s benediction, it was good, representing the essence of God’s image in his world. From God’s goodness comes the world’s perfection and beauty. We see in creation his grace, kindness, gentleness, joy, love, happiness and holiness as he blesses all living things. Good defines the perfect creation because it is of God.
   Yes, as we are made in God’s image, we often do good things. We bear his image with love, kindness and help toward one another. But only God is good in the sense it is the essence of his existence.
    Jesus wants the man to see him as much more than a rabbi who taught and did good things. He wants the young ruler to focus on God as ultimate Ruler, to know he is encountering an authority far above a well-known rabbi. If the man does understand that, he will know it is impossible to approach God on his own merit. The young, rich man who knew how to accomplish tasks and make profit needed to understand he must reject his own assumptions. He must submit to God’s goodness.
          As we’ve often noted, changing one’s mindset is a difficult thing. Once again, a man whose mind is set on things of the world will find it impossible to adjust his mind to the things of heaven. The story continues in the next lesson.