Jesus is one of the most influential people in the world. As such, many people seek to know him. They seek to understand his nature and personality. Nothing gives much information about Jesus like the Bible. So, according to the Bible, is Jesus good?
The Bible implies that Jesus is good. Many passages in the Bible demonstrate him as a good person. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints notes that Jesus demonstrated his goodness through his good deeds.
In this article, we will discuss whether the Bible says that Jesus is good, where the Bible says that Jesus is good and what makes him good. Also, we will find out why Jesus said that none is good but God if indeed he is good. Finally, we will find out whether Jesus is called the good shepherd and why Jesus refused to be called good.
Does the Bible say Jesus is good?
The Bible calls Jesus a good shepherd, implying he is good. The Bible says I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. John 10:11. This verse not only says that Jesus is good but also demonstrates why that is so. Note that the Bible calls Jesus a shepherd. A Shepherd has the qualities of a gentle person who takes care of vulnerable sheep. He ensures that the sheep are fed and that they have adequate protection from wild animals. Therefore, Jesus referring to himself as a shepherd is a sign of his care, gentleness, and goodness.
Secondly, this verse demonstrates why Jesus called himself a good shepherd. It says that a good shepherd gives away his life for the sheep. So, Jesus was explaining why he is good. He is good because he offered his life as a sacrifice for sin for the world. His sacrifice was the ultimate demonstration of his goodness to all humanity.
Where in the Bible does it say Jesus is good?
The Bible does not explicitly say that Jesus is good. However, it of full of demonstrations of his goodness. I believe God allowed that to happen so that everybody can find out on their own whether Jesus is good. Rev. David Bast says that, in the Old Testament, we are told about the goodness of God, but in the New Testament, we are made to see his goodness through the person of Jesus Christ.
What makes Jesus good?
Jesus’ compassion makes him good. One of the instances where we see the compassionate nature of Jesus is when he fed the five thousand people. He said: And Jesus called His disciples to Him, and said, “I feel compassion for the people because they have remained with Me now three days and have nothing to eat; and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way.” Matthew 15:32. In this verse, we observe that Jesus felt compassion for the people with him. Although the people did not expect that he would feed them, he understood that they were hungry and needed to eat. His compassion makes him good.
Jesus’s forgiveness makes him good. Jesus was different from the Jews and the law teachers because he forgave rather than condemned. An outstanding example is the adulterous woman who was caught in the act. While the Jews and their teachers wanted her condemned to death as stipulated by the law, Jesus wanted forgiveness. “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” John 8:10-11. Jesus understood the grave nature of the sin that the woman had committed. He understood what Moses’s law demanded, but he still could not withhold himself from forgiving her. It was a great act of forgiveness which demonstrates why Jesus is good.
Jesus’s good deeds make him good. The Bible says that Jesus went about doing good: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. Acts 10:38. The Bible calls Jesus’ acts of healing the sick, raising the dead, and casting out of demons; good. Jesus’s good deeds are uncountable and makeup one of the biggest parts of the ministry. As Joh completes his gospel account, he notes that: And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which, if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. John 21:25. Therefore, Jesus did so many good things, which is one of the reasons that he is good.
If Jesus is good, why did he say, ‘No one is good but God?’
Although many people agree that Jesus is good, they fail to understand why Jesus rebuked a man who called him good. the Bible says: to him Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” So, Jesus said, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good, but One that is God. Mark 10:17-18. Jesus seemed to rebuke the man because of calling him good but notice that Jesus did not say I am not good. Also, he did not deny his deity. From understanding Jesus’s deity, we know he is God. Since there is no doubt that Jesus was good, Got Question Ministries argues that Jesus was revealing that he was God.
The Got Question Ministries also argue that Jesus wanted to show man that man cannot have his goodness through deeds. The man wanted to impress Jesus because he had followed the law since he was young. He thought that by doing so, he was good. However, Jesus wanted to show him that doing the law was not enough to make man good. So, when Jesus said that no one is good except God, he meant that man was not good unless God made him so.
Why is Jesus called the good shepherd?
Jesus is called the good shepherd because he laid his life because of the sheep. In John 10:11, the Bible says that the good shepherd gives his life to the sheep. Jesus was called the good shepherd because he would die to save the world, also referred to as the sheep. Pastor Collins Smith notes that he is our shepherd because we are the sheep. Additionally, he gives his sheep eternal life and thus is a good shepherd. Also, he is a good shepherd because he promised to take care of his sheep. He guards and keeps his sheep.
Why did Jesus refuse to be called good?
Jesus did not refuse to be called good. His response provoked critical thinking in the man who called him good and in the people who heard. He wanted them to think again about qualifying themselves as good just because they presumed they perfectly followed the law. Bible Study Ministries say that Jesus did not want his followers to base his goodness only on what he did but on who he was. Based on the law, man’s standards of goodness fall short of God’s standard of goodness.
References
Jesus Christ Went About Doing Good
If Jesus was God, why did He say, “No one is good but God alone”?
Seven Ways Christ Is the Good Shepherd
Why Did Jesus Say He Wasn’t Good?
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.
