Monday, June 3, 2013

Mark 10:17-18

As Jesus set out for His journey to Jerusalem, a young man ran up to Him.  The man kneels before Jesus and calls Him “Good Teacher.”  The young man asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life.  Jesus replies by asking the young man why he calls Jesus good.  For there is nobody who is good except the Father in heaven.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

A young man runs up to Jesus.  How cool is this.  People don’t just run up to others for no reason.  This man wanted to meet Jesus.  This man had a need.  There was purpose in his action.  This man needed something, and He saw Jesus as the answer.

How cool is it to see how this story excites?  In what way does this introductory verse speak to your beginning walk with Jesus?  Are you still excited to meet the Lord?

Second Thought:

The young man kneels.  He submits.  Not only does He see Jesus as the answer, but then he submits!  So far, this young man is starting out right on track.  He is filled with hope and excitement.  He is willing to submit to God in the hopes of finding what he needs.

Do you submit to God?  How often does your submission parallel your need for Him to pay attention to you?  When do you submit to God on general principle?

Third Thought:

The young man calls Jesus good.  Jesus then corrects him.  Nobody is good but the Father.  Now, mind you, Jesus was good.  But the point that Jesus is making is that nobody is good.  Read Jesus’ actual words.  Nobody is good but the Father.  I’m not good.  You’re not good.  Nobody is good except the Father.

Why do you think that this is an important distinction to make?  Have you ever heard someone call another person “good?”  Is this correct?  What do you think Jesus would say if he heard may call someone else “good” if He didn’t even want Himself to be called good?  What’s Jesus’ point in all of this?


Passage for Tomorrow: Mark 10:19-22

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