The Great Conundrum Luke 10:25-37

William Phelps taught English literature at Yale for forty-one years until his retirement in 1933. Marking an examination paper shortly before Christmas one year, Phelps came across the note: "God only knows the answer to this question. Merry Christmas." Phelps returned the paper with this note: "God gets an A. You get an F. Happy New Year."

Some of us are trying to create a conundrum where there isn’t one: We are called to love God and to love people!

-I cannot love God without also loving people!

I. How Can I Get Eternal Life? vv. 25-28

In our story this morning, a man comes to Jesus with a good question: How can I inherit eternal life?

I want us to note a few things. First, I don’t think this is a dishonorable act. He tests Jesus because he believes that Jesus is the kind of teacher who would have the answer to this kind of question

Also, I think that it is worth noting that eternal life is not just unending. It is not just about having a life in heaven some day, but it is about having heavenly life today. It is possible to have the kind of life that flows from God and is marked by His character and power!

In important ways, this is the question that people need the answer to more than any other, because every other answer comes out of this one!

Jesus does something notable here; He points the man back to the Scriptures. The Law is authoritative on this matter and all others. Together, they will consider what the Scripture says

When we get to their mutually agreed upon answer, something will strike us:

It doesn’t appear to be a “faith” answer, but sounds like a “works” answer

I think this answer makes sense for two reasons: “doing” is what the man understands, he assumes that he believes the right things about God

Second, the things that we do are the visible representation of what we believe; we cannot separate faith from works

Love for God and love for neighbor are the evidence of a life that has been transformed by faith!

1 John 4:20–21

[20] If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. [21] And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother. (ESV)

II. Who Is My Neighbor? vv. 29-35

This should settle the matter; but the man attempts to justify himself

There is a lingering doubt here

He believes that he loves God well

He believes that he loves his neighbors well

However, he knows there are some people that he does not love well. Are they his neighbors? Does he have a responsibility towards those folks?

Jesus answers his question with a story

There is a man in need of a neighbor; he is hurting, vulnerable, and impoverished

Two men who would seem to be exemplars of “loving God” a priest and a Levite pass by

They are ethical and religious

They are close at hand

However, they are not being neighbors!

Instead, a Samaritan comes by. He is not noted for his theology, social position, or ethical standing. However, let’s pay attention to what the Samaritan does:

He sees the victim

He cares about the victim

He acts on behalf of the victim

He owns responsibility for the victim

How can I be a neighbor? It turns out the first step is just as simple as viewing it as more of an opportunity than an obligation!

A young girl was walking along a beach upon which thousands of starfish had been washed up during a terrible storm. When she came to each starfish, she would pick it up, and throw it back into the ocean. People watched her with amusement. She had been doing this for some time when a man approached her and said, “Little girl, why are you doing this? Look at this beach! You can’t save all these starfish. You can’t begin to make a difference!” The girl seemed crushed, suddenly deflated. But after a few moments, she bent down, picked up another starfish, and hurled it as far as she could into the ocean. Then she looked up at the man and replied,

“Well, I made a difference for that one!”

III. What Do My Actions Say About My Faith? vv. 36-37

Jesus now turns the story back on the man. He’s been asking the wrong question all along:

It is not, “Who must I be a neighbor to?”

It is, “Who have I been a neighbor to?”

What does my neighboring say about my identity in Christ?

We are being called today to share the mercy of God with the people surrounding us

It might be costly and might be difficult

However, it is our call in Christ

3 Questions:

Who is my Neighbor?

How Can I be a Neighbor?

Am I Being a Neighbor?

James 2:14–17

[14] What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? [15] If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, [16] and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? [17] So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (ESV)

Mariska Hargitay doesn’t just star as a heroic detective saving people’s lives onscreen — she also steps into those shoes in real life, too.

While filming one of the final episodes of season 25 of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in New York City on April 10, Hargitay, 60, was approached by a little girl who believed her to be a real police officer based on the badge she wore as part of her character’s outfit.

A witness tells PEOPLE that the little girl had been separated from her mother in the Anne Loftus Playground in Fort Tryon Park and enlisted Hargitay for help. The actress obliged, halting production for 20 minutes to help the child locate her mother and to console them both.

Isn’t it amazing. A little girl thought she saw a real officer and found help there! I wonder how many of our neighbors are looking for a real Christian to help and can’t find one?