LUKE 10:25-42 LOVE SHOWS Sometimes an illustration by telling a story or parable is the most effective way of teaching a fundamental lesson people will often choose to avoid. How can one know they have eternal life? What can a person do to get eternal life? Where does eternal life come from? These questions are in the minds of most people because there is something in every person that makes them conscious of eternity. The lawyer who asked Jesus this question asked a good question with a wrong intention. His objective was to find some reason to condemn the Lord Jesus Christ. He was not a real seeker after eternal life. His preconceived idea was that eternal life could be obtained by works. The law was his area of expertise and his idea seemed to be he had it all figured out. To him Jesus was just a common man who really didn't know the law in the way he did.
Words and attitudes are sometimes very far apart. The lawyer's response to Jesus' question covered the whole design of the law. To love God supremely and one's neighbor in the same way do ourselves covers every demand of the law. Law-keepers often have high opinions of themselves and by that means, seek to prove that their actions will give them assurance they have earned eternal life. Giving money to the poor, keeping the Sabbath day, praying openly and going through prescribed forms has deceived many people into thinking they have fulfilled the demands of the law. Loving God is one thing because those looking on cannot determine the inward person and motives. Loving one's neighbor is both inward and outward. To truly love God will show evidence in attitude and actions toward those around us. How far does neighborliness extend?
It is a good way to impress truth on the minds of people when a real-life situation the hearer can identify with, is given. In the story Jesus told, all the areas of life where genuine love can be shown to a neighbor is described. To the thieves, the traveler was a victim to exploit. When we take from others what is not our right to have is certainly not loving our neighbor. This is not only done by force but in various ways of action. To overprice an article for sale; to urge something on a person to extort money or goods from them is definitely not the intention of the law or evidence of eternal life. To the priest who saw the man in need and passed by on the other side, the wounded victim was a nuisance to avoid. It is not uncommon for people to deliberately avoid a problem that would be an inconvenience to them.
The Levite whose role was to carry out the purpose of the law may have resonated more with the lawyer. The Levite was condemned even more than the priest because with curiosity he came closer and saw the injured man as no more than a subject to discuss. There are people who want to talk about what they consider spiritual things or moral issues and find a kind of enjoyment in arguing over fine points of a matter. They talk a lot without meeting the need or coming to an answer to a problem and taking steps to help the one in trouble. To the Samaritan who came there on purpose, not by chance like the priest and Levite, the injured man was a neighbor he could help, a person to love as himself. He had prepared before beginning the journey by having the material he needed to help others. His mind was thinking of others even as he placed the oil, wine and bandages forming the first-aid kit he carried to meet needs. Compassion includes comfort for the soul and healing for the body.
To the innkeeper the injured man was a customer to serve. The time will come when a needy person has been delivered to us to care for. When we serve people, we serve God. Whether it is a poor believer in need of our comfort and help, or one who does not know the Gospel at all, but we know their need better that they do. It is evidence of love for a neighbor when we extend the love shown by the "Samaritan" and give it ourselves.
Both Martha and Mary showed their love for the Lord Jesus in gladly showing Him hospitality in their home and in serving Him. That is one of the privileges we have in our Christian life. The blessings of giving and receiving are experienced when our homes are opened to the neighbors, the Lord's people and to strangers (who may be angels). In the account of the Lord at the home of Martha and Mary, both of these wonderful women are to be commended for showing hospitality. Mary "also" sat at the feet of the Lord as a learner. She wanted what He had to give her as well as giving to Him. Martha's service actually distracted her from what was most important - what the Lord could bless her with. What we take in is what strengthens our character. What we give out is limited to what is within. "Grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord" is needed for Christian maturity.
There is no testimony as to whether the lawyer ever went away and did what he was taught in the story of the Samaritan. We don't know what Martha did with the kind, gentle rebuke the Lord gave her. Mary did give a clear testimony of what she had learned from the Lord when she took the earnings of a year and used it ahead of time to anoint the Lord Jesus Christ with spikenard in view of His burial. She had listened when He spoke of His death, burial and resurrection. Perhaps she understood more than all the disciples what the meaning of His words really was. "One thing is needful" for all of us. That is to demonstrate our love for God by hearing and obeying His word, and by showing our love for God by loving our neighbor. "By this shall all men know ye are My disciples indeed, if ye have love one to another."
Much can be said about law and grace. We can learn doctrine by careful study. But love for God is demonstrated when faith
In the reality of living doesn't muddy The waters of what we mean and say By the actions of what we do. The neighbors look on every day To find out if what I say is true.
To want to have eternal life is wonderful - And if seekers for it willingly come near - Our role then is to make understandable The truths God wants them to hear. The means we can successfully use Have been used by the Lord Jesus before. When questions are answered they choose To believe on Him - or His grace ignore.
Not everyone will respond to the truth alike. Some obey it and others deliberately reject The offer of mercy and turn away from the light - Seeking more from the world to get. We can't make people believe God's Word, But we can show love in Jesus' name. If they refuse to accept Jesus as Lord - They have only themselves to blame.
Service for God should not take the place Of bearing the yoke and learning of Him. The blessings of giving because we appreciate grace Can hinder us getting what we need within. With genuine love for God and our neighbor We give testimony that what we have is worthwhile. When there is love that gives impact to our labor That is usually evident by a genuine smile.
"O Father who has loved me when there is nothing loveable in me: I am asking of Thee for wisdom and understanding to add savor to love for Thee and others. To only say in words, we love another person may not be much more than a sound. But if grace and mercy accompany faith and works, it may be that reality will actually show. Help Thy servant to demonstrate love for Thee to the blessing of others. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."