Bible Pathways 10/25/2001
October 25
Read Luke 10 -- 11
A certain lawyer stood up, and tempted Him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit Eternal Life? (Luke 10:25). A lawyer was known also as a Scribe; they were the official interpreters of the Mosaic Law as well as of the traditions. And Jesus said to him, What is written in the Law? He said: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself. And Jesus said to him, You have answered right: this do, and you shall live. But he, willing to justify himself, said to Jesus, And who is my neighbor? (10:26-29; Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18).
And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves . . . who wounded him . . . leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite . . . came and looked on him, and passed by. . . . But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him . . . bound up his wounds . . . and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. . . . Which now of these three, do you think, was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that showed mercy on him. Then said Jesus . . . Go, and do likewise (Luke 10:30-37).
It is possible that the priest and the Levite, the official guardians and ministers of the Temple, who by chance came down . . . that way, were on their way home to Jericho, the City of Palm Trees, where many of the Temple priests lived. To stop and help this dying man could have made them late for supper.
However, the Samaritan, that had compassion on him, wasnÆt looking for excuses as to whether he was deserving of being helped. Instead, he recognized him as a fellow human who lay dying. The Samaritans were descended from the poorest of the poor Israelites who were not exiled to Babylon and had intermarried with Gentiles brought in by the Babylonians. As a mixed race, they were hated by the Jews.
My neighbor is anyone who needs my compassion and whom I have the opportunity to help, no matter what his position, race, or religion may be. We are simply to enter into the feelings for another's sufferings or misfortunes as God has done for us. Once we recognize this great, central truth in life, we will respond like the Good Samaritan, since whatever is mine belongs to God and whatever belongs to God should be shared with my neighbor because my neighbor also belongs to God.
All of us need to be reminded of our Lord's answer to the lawyer, who asked the question: What shall I do to inherit Eternal Life? Jesus reminded him that the evidence of Eternal Life within us is loving God with all your heart, and with all your soul . . . and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself (Luke 10:27).
Word Studies: 10:40 cumbered means busy; distracted; 10:41 careful means concerned; 11:8 importunity means unwanted persistence; 11:39 ravening means viciousness, covetousness; 11:46 lade means to load; 11:53 vehemently means angrily.
Cross References:
For Luke 10:27: See Lev. 19:18; Deut. 6:5. Luke 10:28: See Lev. 18:5.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Precepts Ministries and Kay Arthur, Executive Vice President · Pray for the Bible Pathway International Radio broadcast in honor of Debbie Reece · Country: Cuba (11 million) on the northern rim of the Caribbean · Major language: Spanish · Strict government surveillance of all true Christian activities · 41% Roman Catholic; 2% various spiritists; 1% Protestant · Prayer Suggestion: Pray that you will obey the Word of God and not be just a deceived hearer (James 1:22).
Memory Verse for the Week: Romans 13:2
