Behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Luke 10:25 WEB
In the first section of chapter ten of Luke’s gospel account, Jesus sends out seventy-two disciples to prepare the townships he planned to visit. He sent them out in pairs to heal the sick and preach the message of the nearness of the kingdom of heaven. These disciples returned to Jesus, rejoiced and marveled that even the demons submitted to them in the name of Jesus.
The Lord reminds his followers of the power he gave them to overcome Satanic forces. However, Jesus encourages them to rejoice, not because the demons submit to them, but rather to rejoice because their names are written in heaven. This demonstrates the importance of obedience to God and sharing his word if we intend to inherit eternal life.
Love Your Neighbor
After, Jesus encounters a lawyer who questions Jesus about how to inherit eternal life. Jesus responds by asking the lawyer “What is written in the law?” Luke 10:27 gives the man’s response saying, “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.’ NIV”
Jesus’ reply to the man helps us understand what it means to have faith in the saving power of God. Christ says to the man in Luke 10:28, “You have answered correctly. Do this, and you will live. WEB” Intending to justify himself as an expert in following Jewish law, the lawyer asks “Who is my neighbor?”
The Good Samaritan
Jesus uses this opportunity to teach the parable of the “Good Samaritan.” In the parable, a man is robbed, beaten, and left for dead. Only one of three three men who encounter the unfortunate victim stops to help. Two Hebrews ignore him, but a Samaritan stops to care for the man.
When Jesus asks the lawyer which of the men was a loving neighbor, the lawyer responds that it is the one who showed mercy. Jesus affirmed the response and instructed the lawyer to “Go and do the same.” Jew or GEntile, to inherit eternal life, we must accept Christ. Accepting Christ, we obey his commands to love God and our fellow man.
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for the lessons in your holy word. Thank you for making clear what is expected of me. Guide me to live according to your will. Help me to inherit eternal life. Help me to love others as you love me. In Jesus’ name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: I Am Who I Am
