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human effort

Mark 10:17
"And when He was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to Him, and asked Him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?"

Last week, we explored how everyone must respond to Jesus' life and teachings as recorded in the Bible. Today, we address a common question.

In the preceding verses, people bring children to Jesus for blessing, but the disciples, viewing them as insignificant, turn them away. Indignant, Jesus welcomes the children, declaring that the kingdom of God belongs to such as these, affirming their worth and showing that everyone is precious to God.

In today's verse, a man runs to Jesus and kneels, urgently seeking the way to eternal life. He calls Jesus "Good Teacher," a rare title reflecting his respect, though Jews typically avoided calling others "good." His question shows he understands eternal life as a gift from God but believes it can be earned through human effort.

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