Luke 10:25-37
When an expert in Biblical law questioned Jesus, he was not seeking information, but was testing Him.
So Jesus said: “…’What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?’” (26b). The lawyer's answer
was spot on, but his heart was not committed: “But wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus, ‘And
who is my neighbor?’” (29) Jesus replied with a story and a question. He spoke of a Jewish man who
was victim of a robbery and assault being left half dead on the side of the road. Two religious leaders
[who knew the Law] passed by on the other side of the road, but a Samaritan [half-breed despised by
Jews] saw him, felt compassion, and ministered to him. Jesus question: “Which of these three do you
think proved to be a neighbor to the man…?” (36a) The lawyer was trapped admitting the one who
showed him mercy. Not only is accuracy of our perceptions of the Bible important, but also our
application of it in our daily living! Both correct interpretation and application of Scripture were, and are,
essential.