A Word of Encouragement

July 6, 2026

Butchart Gardens, BC - Aug 2001

Grace, Hope & Peace, Friend;

An official asked Jesus, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus began by asking him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments." And He listed a few of God's commandments. The official responded, "All these things I have kept since my youth." (Luke 18:18-21)

"I have done everything I was told to do, aren't I good enough?"

When Jesus heard this, He said to him, "One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."
	Luke 18:22

"One thing you still lack." What did the official lack? He had always obeyed the law - done what God had commanded - so why wasn't he 'good enough' to inherit eternal life? On another occasion, Jesus said, "The whole Law, and everything God has said through His prophets, hangs on Love - loving God and loving people." (Matthew 22:35-40) Without love, we are NOT 'good enough'! (1 Corinthians 13)

But when he (the official) had heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely wealthy. And Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God!"
	Luke 18:23-25

When those who heard Jesus' words, asked Him, "So who can be saved?" He replied, "The things that are impossible with people are possible with God." (Vs. 26-27) We cannot be 'good' enough to earn eternal life, but Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep." (John 10:11)

Jesus - the Good Teacher - laid down His life so we can inherit eternal life. We can't earn it.

Greater love has no one than this, that a person will lay down his life for his friends.
	John 15:13

Rabbi haTov - Good Teacher - thank You for giving me eternal life. Help me share Your love with those you put in my life.

God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.
	John 3:16

He secured eternal life for you,