And Who is My Neighbour? - Part 855

On a certain occasion, a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. Tempting Him, the lawyer asked, “Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”  

Jesus said unto the man, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?”

The man answering, said, “Thou shalt 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.’’

And Jesus answered unto him, “You have answered right. Do this and you shalt live." Most of us would have stopped there, thankful for the blessing and promise that includes eternal life.

However, the lawyer wanted to justify himself so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:25-29) This is where Jesus begins to share the parable about the good Samaritan.

But the parable is not the point here. Instead, think about Jesus and the words that were being said. How it must have been wearing on Jesus to answer questions which Jesus already knew the questioner was not interested in learning an answer. That in fact, the lawyer only posed these questions to test Jesus, hoping to trip Him up. 

Note the response. Jesus patiently provides a simple answer -- one that even a child would understand and yet this expert in law clearly misses the point. That is, the whole point of eternal life.

Let’s begin again at the top and look at the lawyer's original question. 

“What must I do to inherit eternal life?" The question is straightforward enough. In Acts chapter two, the first 3,000 believers asked Peter, standing with the eleven the very same question. 

But this time, the question is framed in a different context. In the world, we commonly understand that when someone dies, he or she leaves an estate for those children who will come after them. These are referred to as the inheritors of an estate -- normally those children within a family unit who were the consequence of a marital relationship preordained by Jesus -- the King of kings and Lord of lords. These children were known by the Lord even from the mother's womb -- the seed planted so that they could become witnesses of the good news gospel of Jesus Christ.

Therefore, even to suggest that an inheritor must die first in order to inherit something, would be considered ridiculous.  Yet, this ridiculous notion has been the understanding of most believers in their faith journey.  Tragically, this misunderstanding has kept most believers from fully enjoying their inheritance now in Christ Jesus -- thinking that the inheritance -- His promises of blessing to us -- will be in the sweet by and by. This is why -- sadly -- for now, we struggle through life without any understanding of how much Jesus loved us.

But the lawyer failed to understand this. Instead, he questioned Jesus hoping to find fault with His teachings. Instead of understanding who Jesus really was -- that He (according to John 1:1-18) commands the universe -- he was plotting against the author of life -- who loved us so much that He through His precious blood would purchase us from the slavery of sin and death. 

For Jesus death and resurrection cleared the way for you and me to receive our amazing inheritance through faith in Him.  "And His name through faith in His name ..." (Acts 3:16)

Because of His abundance of grace, we should be rejoicing knowing that we have an inheritance that surpasses silver and gold.  That He who commands the universe can raise us up to be conquerors in Him. "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world." (I John 4:4)

Therefore, I encourage you to press into Jesus. Study to show thyself approved, as a workman. Learn of the last will and testament of Jesus and begin to understand what rightfully belongs to us through the grace of Jesus. Most of all, receive your rightful inheritance here and now through faith in Jesus.

The expert in the law stated the answer to his own question. He said, “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.’’ 

The gospel is so simple that even a child understands. And yet, we as adults subscribe to the tragic distortions of a religious culture that doesn't align with the Word. Unfortunately, as a consequence, we end up missing out on the most beautiful relationship available to mankind. That is, being married in our spirit to the Lord Jesus -- the body and bride of Christ. 

Jesus was saying to the lawyer, “Do this and you will live.” He did not say (as many religious are encouraged to believe today), “Do this and you will not die.” 

Jesus said, "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." (John 10:10) 

Come to Jesus today. Invite Him into your heart. Make Jesus Lord of your day to day. Receive His promises. (Romans 8:1-39) Stand in the offering plate.

"And this is life eternal that you might know Thee -- the only true God and Jesus Christ -- whom Thou has sent." (John 17:3)