The Good Samaritan

Luke 10:25-37

What must I do to be saved? What shall I do to inherit eternal life? Does this questioner wonder if it is in his power to bring about eternal life? Didn't we read that in the garden by our own doing we lost our ability to eat from the tree of eternal life? How do you suppose this lawyer thinks he can gain it back? He answers the question put to him by quoting the law. I wonder what someone else might answer if they weren't familiar with the law?

Jesus asks him to explain a story-which of these characters was acting neighborly? We see that the person who was attacked was a neighbor to the first two people since they were all going in the same direction and were just happening to pass by. The third man was from afar and had to bring the injured man to an inn-and not to his own house since he wasn't from around there. We see by his actions the third man acted neighborly-with caring, but the first two did not. They acted according to the law. What we don't read here is that it would not have been easy or clean or advisable for the first two men to attend to this beaten man. They weren't related to him so they weren't required to pay for his care, but the third man didn't stop because he was required; he acted out of compassion, and this is what Jesus said was 'required.'

This is like what I was thinking earlier when I said it isn't just doing what we are required, but it is also doing it out of love for God and for others. This is the kind of love that makes a difference for us and for those around us. Do you suppose the first two felt good about what they didn't do? There are times when I don't do something and then am sorry afterward thinking I could have done more. This third man in the story doesn't have that happen to him. He did do what he could and it was more than he was required by the law. This compassion is 'like' the kingdom of heaven.

See you tomorrow.
-maggie