Luke 18:18-23 — "Good teacher"

READ THIS: Luke 18:18-23

18 A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’”

21 “All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said.

22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

23 When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy.

WHAT’S THIS MEAN, ANYWAY?

First off, let's talk about how baller Jesus is. A powerful person comes to Him and calls Him "good teacher." Jesus's response is to say that only God is good. Jesus makes a cutting point here. Either Jesus is not good or He is God. So the real question that Jesus is asking is less "Why do you call me good?" and more, "Why did you call me teacher when you know that's not all I am." At least, that's how I see it. 

Second, if we go down the same logic that only God is good, then that means only God has kept the Law. But, this ruler guy says He has, too. This ruler guy is claiming to be good in his own way. But, Jesus calls him on it. If he was good, he would follow every command of God, and God Himself commands him to sell his possessions and follow Jesus...but he hesitates to follow that command. 

THINK ABOUT IT:

1. Have you ever went to Jesus and felt like you were in good standing? Like you personally had done everything right in the day? Who is Jesus to you when you have felt like that?

2. If you were the ruler in this story, how would you feel if Jesus told you to sell all your things and follow Him? Why would you feel that way? Is there a command that God could give you right now that would make you hesitate?

TRY THIS:

Aside from the word God, what name would you give Jesus? (Think about how the ruler called Jesus "good teacher"). Talk to God today using the name you think describes Him best to you! 

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