Jesus was asked an interesting question by a so called expert in the law. Luke says he asked to test Jesus.
He started out by asking, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Luke 10:25
He was trying to test Jesus, but Jesus turned the tables and tested him.
Jesus said, “What is written in the Law?” How do you read it?”
Luke 10:26
The legal expert proudly rattled off the answer. He had that one in the bag.
He answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and, Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Luke 10:27
Jesus told him he got it right.
“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
Luke 10:28
However the legal expert was not done. He wanted to “justify himself.” So he asked Jesus one more probing question.
But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
Luke 10:29
Jesus then told the story of the Good Samaritan. He painted the picture of a man who had been beat up by robbers. Different people saw him as he lay suffering on the side of the road, but only one helped him.
Jesus asked, “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
Luke 10:36
The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
Luke 10:37
Now to another question no one ever asked Jesus, “Who is my enemy?”
In my next post, we will look at what Jesus taught about mercy and enemies. He not only taught about it, He demonstrated it.
Just as thoughts to ponder (please do not answer here), who do you consider your enemies? Are you willing to show mercy to them?
