Read: Romans 3:23, Mark 10:18
There’s a story told of a man who went to the doctor and, after hearing the diagnosis, said, “But I’m a good person! How could this happen to me?” It’s a sentiment we’ve all likely had at some point. We tend to measure goodness by our actions or how we stack up against others. But if you’ve ever tried to play a game where the rules suddenly changed, you know how frustrating it can be when the standard you thought you were meeting is different than what’s required. In the same way, our idea of “good” often doesn’t match God’s standard, which is much higher than we can imagine.
“Why do bad things happen to good people?” This is a question we’ve all asked at some point. But Scripture challenges our understanding of what “good” means. While we might compare ourselves to others and think, “I’m a good person,” God’s standard of goodness is perfection. And the reality is, we’ve all fallen short.
The only truly good person who ever lived was Jesus, and yet He suffered the ultimate pain and sacrifice for our sake. The next time we wonder why bad things happen to us, we can remember that God understands our pain because He allowed His Son to suffer in our place. And through that suffering, He made a way for us to experience eternal life.
Questions for Reflection:
- How does Jesus’ definition of “good” challenge your perspective?
- In what ways have you experienced God’s grace, even in your imperfections?
- How can you live in gratitude for the sacrifice Jesus made for you?