Is Jesus Just A Good Teacher

# 581 - Today's Du-votional comes from: Mr 10:17,18 “Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God..”

This man was a ruler in the church (Luke 18:18) in other words an active church member. The fact that he “ran” to Jesus speaks of his eagerness to connect with Jesus. He kneels solely out of respect for the reputation of Jesus. But the first words out of his mouth betray his opinion of Jesus.

The King James says, “Good Master.” The idea of Master here is that of a school master. This man and so many other Jews viewed Jesus as a better than average Rabbi or teacher, who traveled with his disciples. This man felt that this particular Rabbi, and His school, held the key to eternal life. (The miracles of Jesus being evidence of a special connection to God.)

In His reply, Jesus forces the young ruler to address the true identity of Jesus. “Why do you call Me good?” is just another way of saying, “Who do you say I am?” There is only one good and that is God. “I'm either a good teacher or I am Christ the Son of the Living God. It is the latter confession given by the grace of God and held onto by the grace of God that causes one to inherit eternal life.

Is Jesus God or not? If He is, then why don't we do what He says? Lu 6:46 "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say?

Father, this is a bridge that so many need to cross. Readjust our way of thinking concerning Jesus. He is not some warm fuzzy ace in the hole with some good opinions. He is God and we must “hear Him!”