Discovery

And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” Luke 10:25-26

Isn’t the best learning when your teacher leads you into a discovery? The lawyer, a scholar in the Law of Moses, thinks he’s going to put Jesus to a test. In reality, he’s the learner, not the teacher. Jesus invites him to display his knowledge of the law – “love God with all your, heart, soul, mind and strength and your neighbor as yourself”. Now the lesson begins.

Jesus says, “You have answered correctly, do this, and you will live.” The lawyer sees, perhaps for the very first time, that he has never loved God or man perfectly, never even come close, and never will. He tries gamely to deflect that truth by asking “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus tells a parable. A priest and a Levite, honored Jewish temple workers, ignore a beaten man. A Samaritan, despised by all, binds his wounds and arranges his care. “You go, and do likewise.”

Twice in this story, Jesus calls us to love our neighbor as ourselves and so we should. See how Jesus gently leads the lawyer (and us) to discover that being a “Good Samaritan” will not gain us eternal life – only faith in Him will do that. When you see your neighbor in need today, care for him as your Savior does for you!