What Jesus Did! 'Only God Is Good!' — Luke 18:18-19

Tuesday, October 24, 2023

Once a religious leader asked Jesus this question: "Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?"

"Why do you call me good?" Jesus asked him. "Only God is truly good."

— Luke 18:18-19 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus was challenging the religious leader to wake up and understand the truth that stood right in front of him. If he was calling Jesus "good," then he must come to understand that Jesus is God and not play religious games but truly come to believe. Jesus wasn't denying that he is God; Jesus was affirming that he is God and that man truly needs to acknowledge that he is. Eternal questions are not simply religious speculation but the core questions of the human soul. Only God can answer those questions. So if this man was going to ask Jesus this question, he needed to pay attention and place his faith in Jesus' answer. So do we!

Today's Prayer

Holy and righteous God, open my heart and my mind so I can better understand your incarnation in Jesus of Nazareth. Thank you for showing your love for us in such clearly demonstrable ways by entering our world in a physical way to bring us home to you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • John 1:1-4, 10-14, 17-18
  • Titus 2:11-14
  • 2 John 7-10

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Illustration

Illustration of Luke 18:18-19 NLT — Once a religious leader asked Jesus this question: "Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?" "Why do you call me good?" Jesus asked him. "Only God is truly good."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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