Tuesday, July 19



Matthew 19:17
“Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied.  “There is only One who is good.  If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.”



Reflection
When the rich young man came to Jesus he asked him what good thing he needed to do to receive eternal life.  The man thought his eternal life was based on what he did.  When Jesus answered him in the verse we are looking at today, he tried to re-direct this man.  He tries to show him that his salvation is not based on being good because it is impossible for any of us to save ourselves by being good.  Jesus tries to show the man that we can’t be good enough to receive eternal life.  God is the only One who is truly good.

This man was seeking a spiritual direction in his life with faulty ideas and conceptions about his salvation.  He wanted to be good so that he would be accepted by God.  Jesus knows that unless this man changes his mind about his inherent goodness that he will never receive the eternal life that he seeks.  So, Jesus tries to disciple him by showing him that salvation is not a result of our goodness.

When we disciple someone and attempt to share the good news of Jesus with them, is there any guarantee they will receive and accept that good news?  If there is no guarantee why should we go to the trouble of sharing Jesus with others?