Luke 10:25-37
Q.1. How did Jesus respond to the lawyer’s question about eternal life? Can we live this way consistently? – (Lk.10:25-28)
A lawyer asked a question to check out the orthodoxy of Jesus – Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? (Lk.10:25). Jesus threw the question back to this expert in the Mosaic Law (Lk.10:26). The lawyer repeated the Old Testament Shema which had become Judaism’s creed and confession of faith (Dt.6:4-9; 11:13, 18-21). Jesus agreed with his words but added – Do this and you will live (Lk.10:28). In Jesus’ response, He was driving home the truth that it takes much more than words to please God.
Q.2. What question gave rise to the parable of the Good Samaritan? How did the story expose the religion of the day? – (Lk.10:29-32)
The lawyer knew what Jesus had meant – But wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’ (Lk.10:29). As He often did, Jesus replied with a parable. This one was about a defenceless wounded man who was left half dead on the side of the road (Lk.10:30). In the story Jesus drew attention to the indifference and lack of love of the religious leaders of His day – 31 And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. (Lk.10:31-32). These Jewish leaders who religiously recited the Shema, failed to obey their creed.
Q.3. How did the Samaritan in the story prove that he really cared? What is the challenge of this parable? – (Lk.10:33-37)
The Samaritans were a despised race from mixed origins. Jesus chose a Samaritan to illustrate how a true neighbour looked. He continued … – a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion (Lk.10:33). The Samaritan went beyond his call of duty – 34 and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, `Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return, I will repay you.’ (Lk.10:34-35). Jesus then gave this application – Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbour to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands? (Lk.10:36). The religious expert gave the right answer. Jesus replied – Go and do the same (Lk.10:37).  The lawyer probably regretted asking his question.