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by Sandy Shaw
In Luke Chapter 10 and at verse 25, we read of a religious lawyer coming up to Jesus - with a question - and it just happens to be one of the most important questions a man can ask - "Teacher - what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
But, this religious man with his keen legal mind proves to be most insincere. Oh, he comes with this right question - to the right person - but look at his motive. He comes to tempt Jesus - to test Jesus - seeking to trap Jesus.
What he is asking Jesus is, "Is there any one thing I can do to get me into heaven?"
This is not an easy question to answer. This is not an easy situation to handle - especially when you are aware of insincere motives. Jesus says - "Let's go the Word - let's turn to the Old Testament." Here we see again how Jesus accepts the Old Testament as being authoritative, accurate, relevant and true. Jesus treats it as The Word of God.
What is written in the Word? The answer is in your Bible. How do you read the Word?
Mr. Lawyer, it is not just a matter of knowing what is there, but do you accept it? Does what you read make a difference to you?
The lawyer answered, Love the Lord your God with all your heart with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and love your neighbour as yourself.
He gives a good answer - he has given a full answer - he seemed to miss no parts out. He knew what was in the Word of God. Jesus says - You are right - you have answered correctly. Now, just go and do it, all the time! He had tried to set a trap for Jesus, and he has fallen into it himself. No man can live like this. Not one of us can love God in this total way - all the time - no matter how much we want to, and none of us can love our neighbour in this way all the time.
The answer was right, but nobody can live at this high level of behaviour. We need more than right answers at times.
Our lawyer is a bit ruffled, and he wanted to justify himself. He wants to prove himself right, in front of his friends, so he asks - "And who is my neighbour?"
The implication is that he was not loving some of his neighbours, and although he is well educated, he wants to argue with Jesus. "Jesus - you just tell me who my neighbour is and I'll love him." He obviously thought he was loving God all right. He has no question about how good he is at that.
Jesus begins to answer his question. This is NOT a nice cosy sentimental story. It shocked the lawyer and it may shock others who hear it.
A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho. He was mugged - attacked - beaten up - left lying half dead. Jesus lived in the real world, and knew what was going on out there in the real world.
A priest came down the road, and when he saw the needy man lying there, he passed by on the other side. A Levite came - another religious leader - and he wants nothing to do with the person in real need.
A Samaritan came along. He saw the condition of the man. He had mercy on him, and he was prepared to do something about it, although racially, this injured man and the Samaritan were enemies. The Samaritan lifts up the man.
We need people to lift us up when we are down. He takes the injured man to a nearby hotel and cares for him, leaving some money - £100 or so - two days wages - asking the manager of the hotel to look after him - and if there are further expenses - I'll be back and I'll reimburse you.
He is generous. He takes care of the immediate problem, and he is concerned about to-morrow - this injured man's well-being and progress - also, the welfare and of the inn. Here is a man who has an all-round concern, and he is a man who pays his bills.
It is a rather shocking story, and Jesus looks at the legal expert in the eye and asks - "Which of these three men do you think was a neighbour?" The lawyer replied - "The one who had mercy". He is so racially prejudiced he would not say Samaritan.
Jesus says, Now go and do likewise. Jesus is showing us who our neighbours are.
Did you notice that not once is the Samaritan called ‘good’? Man likes to add things at times and refer to this as the Parable of the Good Samaritan. That in itself might surprise some people!
How do we really minister to those in need? How do we minister to those who may be regarded as enemies, but who fall upon hard times? This is what Jesus is dealing with here and Luke is showing us how to love GOD.
Jesus does not say - if that Samaritan had been filled with the Holy Spirit - he would have laid hands upon him - prayed over him - and all would be well. Jesus does not deal with this incident that way. There is another way - another lesson we have to learn.
It is possible that we are too busy doing things that we do not have time to love God - and that comes out in verses 38 to 42. Jesus goes into the home of Mary and Martha. Mary sat at the feet of Jesus and listened to him. What a lovely picture. She was quiet and submissive and open to hear what Jesus had to say. Martha was so taken up with doing things - rushing around making a meal in which Jesus was not particularly interested. We are told she was distracted - verse 40. She was diverted from paying attention to Jesus - and Jesus had to give her a mild rebuke.
Jesus has been giving quite a few rebukes in our passage. She thought she had so many things to do for Jesus - and Jesus was not really interested. How often might that apply to us? She becomes a little resentful - she was doing so much - quite a lot - and she is thinking that Jesus should be a bit more appreciative.
We too can think like that - but we don't address our resentment to Jesus - but other members of the body of Christ - or perhaps even members of our family. She indicates just a touch of resentment regarding her sister. It would appear that Jesus is paying more attention to Mary than to hustling Martha in all her busyness. What a warning to us when we can appear and perhaps even enjoy being busy for Jesus.
Jesus has to say - You are so worried and upset about so many things - Come Martha - calm down - slow down - sit down. Jesus is not very interested in some of the spreads we prepare for Him - whatever form that might take - but HE did appreciate the peace and quiet and someone to talk with. We have to balance the two scenes always remembering that serving our neighbour comes second. It is a matter of priorities. Persons before things. People before things - always.
Jesus wants us to show our love for God by coming before HIM in praise and worship and listening and hearing - to spend time in prayer - and seldom can that type of activity be rushed. He looks for us to sit down quietly, and take in all HE has to share with us and say to us and reveal to us. That cannot be RUSHED.
What we are doing here during a time of Worship and Prayer could appear crazy to outsiders - meaningless and irrelevant. Jesus wants us to take time to hear from HIM and receive from HIM and please HIM. Then, we will be ready and equipped to serve the needy neighbours whom we meet.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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