How should Luke 18:19 influence our understanding of Jesus' divine nature? Setting the Scene: The Rich Ruler’s Question “A ruler questioned Him, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ 19 ‘Why do you call Me good?’ Jesus replied. ‘No one is good except God alone.’” • A respected leader approaches Jesus, already convinced He is “good.” • Jesus responds with a probing statement designed to expose the man’s shallow understanding of both goodness and Messiah. Only God Is Good: Jesus’ Redirection • Jesus upholds the Old Testament truth that moral perfection belongs to God alone (Psalm 14:2-3; Psalm 86:5). • His words are not a denial of His own goodness; rather, He forces the ruler to connect the dots: – If “good” is an attribute of God, and you call Me “good,” what does that say about who I am? • By linking goodness exclusively with God, Jesus elevates the conversation from superficial compliments to the true nature of Deity. An Implicit Claim to Deity • Jesus never rejects the title “good” for Himself. He challenges the ruler to consider its implications. • Throughout Luke, Jesus demonstrates attributes reserved for God: – Forgives sins (Luke 5:20-24) – Receives worship (Luke 24:52) – Possesses authority over creation (Luke 8:24-25) • If only God is good, and Jesus is undeniably good, the logical conclusion is that Jesus shares God’s nature. Confirming Witnesses in Luke • Gabriel’s announcement: “the holy One to be born will be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35). • Simeon’s recognition: “My eyes have seen Your salvation” (Luke 2:30). • Demons cry out: “You are the Son of God!” (Luke 4:41). • Peter’s confession: “You are the Christ of God” (Luke 9:20). These testimonies converge with 18:19 to affirm Jesus as God in the flesh. Harmony with the Whole Bible • John 1:1,14 – “the Word was God… the Word became flesh.” • Colossians 1:19 – “For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him.” • Hebrews 1:3 – “He is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His nature.” • John 10:11 – “I am the good shepherd.” Jesus again claims the adjective “good,” inseparably tying it to His divine identity. Practical Takeaways for Our View of Christ • Honor Jesus as truly and eternally God, not merely an exemplary human teacher. • Trust His moral perfection—every word, command, and promise rests on flawless goodness. • Worship Him without reservation; He alone is worthy of the devotion reserved for God. • Let His standard expose our need for grace: if only God is good, we must rely on the Good One for salvation (Romans 3:23-24). Luke 18:19 thus deepens our confidence that the Jesus who walked among us is the Lord who deserves our absolute faith, obedience, and adoration. |
    |