1. Repeated:
i. good (thing) one must do v.16, about the good (thing), One Who is the good. v.17
ii. in order to have eternal life v.16, go into the life (Keep the commandments) v.17
Since God is good He knows the best of the requirement of those who can come to spend eternity with Him, i.e. good thing. Israel had the concept of eternal life as a reward of law keeping from O.T. (here) All the people have this concept from general revelation (Eccl 3:11).
2. Questions: Had the man not know the requirement to enter eternal life already before he came to Jesus? Why did he ask? Was this man really want to enter e.l. but lack of assurance?
Why did Jesus said, "Why do you ask me about what is good (thing)?" Did Jesus want to see if the man recognize that He is God? Probably. The man had not respond to this question. Instead he further question about which commandments would make him being qualified for e.l. I assume that he admitted that Jesus is God by his silence on this and continued to ask for the qualification.
3. The answer from Jesus basically just told him that he needed to be perfect v.21. What Jesus meant for perfect is not just the obedience on the surface, but with the heart. That was hinted by the addition to the 10 commandments of, "love your neighbor as yourself (Lev 19:18)." Therefore, He challenged the man to see his possessions and give to the poor and follow Him.
a. Jesus did not mention the 10th commandment (Ex. 20:17) concerning coveting (BKC), but by asking him to give to the poor Jesus challenged his heart about money.
b. He did not answer Jesus about "why do you ask me," but if he really admitted that Jesus is God, he should have follow Him.
Reflection: Do I think I want God but my heart does not really want to? Do I obey God just in the surface but not wholeheartedly?
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