Mark 10:18 (KJV)
And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.
Questions are fascinating. The same question can be asked from completely different attitudes. One person may ask sincerely, another sarcastically. One may ask to learn, another to criticize. A question can express humility, curiosity, doubt, hostility, or even admiration. Often, the question itself tells us less than the heart behind it.
When Jesus asked, "Why callest thou me good?" He was not seeking information. Neither was He denying His own deity. Some have mistakenly read this verse as though Jesus were saying He was not God. The rest of Scripture makes that impossible. Jesus forgave sins, accepted worship, claimed equality with the Father, and proved His divine authority through His life, death, and resurrection.
Jesus was asking the rich young ruler a penetrating question. He was causing the man to examine the words that had just come from his own mouth.
"There is none good but one, that is, God."
The Lord established a simple truth: absolute goodness belongs to God alone. Then His question forced the young ruler to consider the implication of his own words. If only God is truly good, what did he mean by calling Jesus "Good Master"? Was he simply offering a respectful greeting, or did he understand the implication of calling Jesus 'Good Master'?
Jesus often taught this way. Rather than immediately making a declaration, He asked questions that exposed the thoughts and motives of those before Him. His questions invited people to think beyond the surface. Before discussing eternal life, Jesus first addressed the man's understanding of His own identity. After all, no one can rightly understand salvation without first understanding the Saviour.
The same question confronts us today.
Why do we call Jesus good?
Is it because we admire His moral teachings? Is it because we appreciate His kindness? Is it because we have grown accustomed to using Christian language? Or is it because we believe He is exactly who the Scriptures declare Him to be—the eternal Son of God, God manifest in the flesh?
The rich young ruler came looking for answers, but Jesus first examined his heart. Sometimes the Lord does the same with us. Before He answers our questions, He asks us one of His own. Those questions are never meant to discourage us. They are designed to reveal what we truly believe.
The question Jesus asked nearly two thousand years ago still deserves an honest answer today.
#VisitWithGod #Mark10v18 #JesusIsGod #KingJamesBible #KnowTheSaviour
“Why Callest Thou Me Good?” Did Jesus Deny He Was God?
What do you believe Jesus meant when He asked, "Why callest thou me good?" Share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear from you.
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