Would you say Jesus is a good person?

 

          

     The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness...Galatians 5:22

Every Easter, Christians remember the brutal crucifixion of an innocent man, Jesus Christ. Why? Because we prize justice, decrying the evil that placed him on that Roman cross. Jesus claimed to be God’s Son, a ‘crime’ the authorities labelled as blasphemy. Yet he is the Son of God who lived among men, proving his identity by his selfless, pure life. Perhaps the contrast between his goodness and their sin convicted them, and they hated him for it. Jesus exposed their pride, their adherence to rules that concealed indifference to the needy. Who doesn’t feel inadequate or guilty in the presence of someone greater?

 Jesus told a parable to those who prided themselves on their goodness. A Pharisee and a tax collector approached the Jerusalem temple. The Pharisee prided himself on his goodness by comparing himself to adulterers, sinners, and the tax collector who stood at a distance. He bowed his head and beat his chest because he knew he was a sinner. Only God could offer mercy and forgive him. Both men judged themselves by their deeds and arrived at different conclusions.

     How do we define a good person? Are virtuous deeds the source of their perceived goodness? Although their actions are commendable to those who benefit, such a person is more than good deeds, for we ignore the less favourable side of their personality! Do good deeds outweigh evil ones?

 A rich young ruler came to Jesus.

 “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

 “Why do you call me good? No-one is good except God. You know the commandments: do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honour your father and your mother.”

 “I have kept all these commandments since I was a boy.”

 “You still lack one thing.” (Jesus was referring to the first commandment: I am the Lord your God… You shall have no other gods before me. Exodus 20:2.)

 “If you want to be perfect, go, sell everything, give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

 The young man left, saddened, because he was very wealthy. His fulfillment lay in his possessions and his status. His elders despised Jesus. What would they think of him if he sold everything to support the poverty-stricken (society’s outcasts) and followed Jesus? The Pharisees believed wealth was evidence of God’s blessing, while the poor were godforsaken.

 Jesus looked at him. “It’s quite difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God!”

  The disciples were perplexed. “Who can be saved?” They had left everything to follow Jesus, but they were far from perfect and weren’t rich in earthly possessions.

 How do we define the perfection Jesus offered the young ruler? As Jesus said, no human is perfect!

 Jesus gave two commandments which embrace all ten.

                                      “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind.”

                                       “Love your neighbour as yourself.” Matthew 22:37-40.

    Love for God is the basis for perfection because God is pure love in action. We are perfect when we become like him, and we love Jesus when we realize he suffered and died to redeem us. He followed his Heavenly Father and completed the work of our salvation, despite the enormous cost. Hebrews 2:10. We follow him, and he teaches us how to love God and love others. He served by loving us more than his own body, a deeply sacrificial love.

   If we compare ourselves to others, we measure ourselves against an imperfect standard because all have sinned and have fallen short of God’s glory. He expelled Satan, whose sin was pride, to preserve heaven’s perfection. One evil deed prevents us from entering heaven, and only by acknowledging our sinful nature do we approach God.

   What hope exists for us? Look to the cross! God has accepted Jesus’ death and resurrection as payment for our sins. He gifts us with his Son’s goodness, which is no less than perfection. He removes our sin forever.

   We are to believe in Jesus and follow him, laying aside everything that distracts us. It’s a tough call, but he rewards us with eternal life, his abiding presence, and we serve a perfect Master who loves us despite our failures. He becomes our reason for living. This was the gift he offered the rich young ruler.

  Have you committed yourself to Jesus?

If you have, you do well to preserve your relationship with him. According to the world’s standards, you may seem a good person. In God’s eyes, we need to confess our faults and renew our fellowship with Jesus. That is the sweetest relationship we may enjoy because he always welcomes our repentance. I John 1:9.

 We’re not good, but we’re redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus. His perfection is enough for God. If we place our identity in Christ, we’re secure. The world may smudge our reputation, but when we enter eternity, only God’s assessment of us will count. Let’s place our complete trust in Jesus, doing everything for God’s glory, not to boost our image, but to honour the Lord Jesus Christ. He is God incarnate.

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