Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.” It strikes us as odd that Jesus would object to being called “good.” Not just us, but Matthew re-writes the scene as Mark tells it and has Jesus say “what do you ask me about what is good.” As always, Jesus is making a point. The rich young man thought that goodness was something he could achieve or attain by his own efforts, keeping the commandments or whatever. Jesus wanted him to understand that goodness is always a gift from God, something we receive. Notice Mark points out that Jesus, looking at him, loved him. The love Jesus had for the man embodies the love God has for everyone.
