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NASB | Mark 10:18 And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Mark 10:18 Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is [essentially] good [by nature] except God alone. |
Subject: Jesus called Good teacher |
Bible Note: This entire passage is dealing with a young man who is seeking admission into heaven based on his own merits. He mistakenly sees himself as having fulfilled all righteousness. He is hoping to be affirmed in his belief. Before Jesus even gives an answer, he brings up the question of goodness. Christ didn't say this to deny His own goodness. Nor was He saying this in anger. But He said it to lead the young man to a truer knowledge of Himself, His own goodness, His diety, and further the young man's own "goodness." Before the Gospel remedy can be applied, the lesson of the Law must be learned. The Law instructs us in our failure to measure up. It is an excellent measure of the condition of our heart. It is a divine detector of goodness. That's why people try to "dumb-it-down." This young man even thinks that he has completely fulfilled the requirements of the Law. That is why Christ first leads him to the Law. Then, He cleverly brings to the surface the most obvious single factor that denies the young man's claim of goodness: sell all that you have. The young man came to Christ humbly and respectfully. Nevertheless he could not see that the reigning sin in his life was idolatry. In reality, he was so far from keeping all of the commandments, he had failed to keep the first commandment "thou shalt have no other gods before Me." In the end, the young man could not let go of his sin, repent, and allow the ministration of the Gospel to save him. I believe it was Jim Elliot who said, "He is a fool who will not give up what he cannot keep for that which cannot be taken away." Lord, may we never put faith in our own righteousness. Help us to see your holiness, that we may recognize our own need. Grant us grace to fall at your feet in humiliation, and seek the Balm of Gilead. And as you raise us to our feet, and we learn to walk, help us never to forget. In Jesus' wonderful name, Amen. |