Mark 10:17-31 [Matthew 19:16-30; Luke 10:25-37, 18:18-30]
God created humans inherently good, but we blind ourselves to goodness by justifying evil. We mask sin with religious piety. Jesus illustrated this problem by emphasizing the word “good.”
Very likely, one of that day’s common sayings was “Only God is good.” However, Greek philosophy had intertwined with that statement to superimpose “perfection” ideologies. How could the living God, perfect in all things, interact with dirty, dusty humans? Impossible to philosophers, but there he stood—God in the flesh.
In Mark 10:18, Jesus asks why the man called him “good.” If he was good, but only God was good, then Jesus was God. The man did not believe that to be true. No one heard the “absurdity” of the correlation.
Actually, they did not envision their God as good either. Instead of merciful, the people believed in an angry taskmaster. Only perfect people could please such a deity. Those deemed “less perfect” could not compete. Such a God did not take care of the poor, the disabled, or the ill. The people determined that it was all right for the “blessed” to abuse them too. Following a list of rules became more important than walking in God’s love.
In Matthew 19:21, Jesus implied the man could become “perfect.” All he needed to do was change his identity. However, that was option two. It would be much simpler if the man followed God’s commandments and walked in his ways. The two produced the same thing: humility.
The words of Jesus make me consider my life. Does my religion trivialize goodness while it places perfection on a pedestal? Do I follow a list of commandments to appear clean? Is my God so “perfect” He could not care about the small details?
Am I willing to change to walk with him?
To be continued:
