Who Is Your Neighbor?

What does that Book Say?

Luke 10:25–37 NKJV

And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?” So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ ” And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.” But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

What Must I Do to Inherit Eternal Life?

Lawyer = was a specialist - Like a Constitutional Lawyer, he knew the law really well.

Comes testing Jesus. Call Him teacher not Rabbi.

Question? What must I do to inherit eternal life?

Jesus as a good Rabbi answers with a question, What does the the Law say

The lawyer nails it when he says to love = Agape the Lord God with All - not pas but holos = with your complete, total, whole heart, soul, mind, strength with the totality of all you are! and agape your neighbor as yourself?

Jesus says now go do it!

Who is my neighbor?

Realizing he could not fulfill the requirement the lawyer trying to justify himself asks Who is my neighbor?

Jesus gives the lawyer opportunity to figure it out!

Man goes from Jerusalem to Jericho - 17 mile northeast. drops 3000 ft in elevation. Wilderness - deep valleys, rough terrain even today.

He is attacked by thieves, beaten, robbed, left half dead.

3 men come by

Priest - dilemma obligation of religion and one of relationship. to not be defiled he passes by on the “safe” side of the road.

Levite - Priest’s helper same dilemma but at least he looked at the man.

Samaritan - hated by Jews as unworthy dog. hatred went both ways. Jews were offended by the hero being a Samaritan. One who could have allowed his hate to keep him from helping did not. He has compassion on the man. He treated his wounds, carried him to an inn, took care of him, paid for the innkeeper to take care of him and promised to pay the bill!

Jesus asks who was neighbor to the man?

Lawyer again answers correctly the one who showed mercy!

Jesus reply - Go and do likewise!

Some things to think about:

1. The lawyer asked Jesus what must I DO to inherit eternal life! Being a Pharisee he was about doing what was required to gain life. But he knew he could not!

Note the difference between Law and Grace. The law says “do” and live. Grace says live and do! Which one would you choose?

Life is not about religion, but about relationships!

2. Doing religious stuff does not make one righteous! James wrote Faith without works is dead. he goes on to say show me you faith without works and I will show you my faith by my works! Some what to call it Practical Christianity! Is there any other kind?

3. Jesus was breaking down the wall between classes of people. Samaritan to a Jew were worthless. Yet He has just come through there, preached there, ministered to a whole town.

4. Jesus was showing Himself as the Samaritan. The religious Jews viewed Jesus as an outcast and worthless, but He gave up heaven and came to earth “To seek and save that which was lost” just like the hero of the story. He came to bind up the broken, set at liberty the captive, and pay the bill for it all!

Remember the Golden Rule - Do unto others as you would have them do unto you! Active!

The lawyer asked the wrong question. Not Who is my neighbor? But to whom can I be neighbor to!