July 13, 2022

And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” [Jesus] said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?” Luke 10:25-26

Now, this lawyer was a trained and well-educated Pharisee. He knew the law of God perfectly well, in great detail. The purpose behind his question to Jesus was a test, or trap. In this public setting, he hoped to trick Jesus into saying something publicly that would bring about His condemnation before the religious leaders and other bystanders. Being a good lawyer, he posed his question to Jesus while making full eye contact and using a respectful tone along with the highly respected title of “Teacher.”

The Master Teacher brought this lawyer to an unanticipated level of engagement by answering his question with a question. The genuinely respectful tone of voice of Jesus—along with that piercingly thoughtful gaze—totally disarmed the lawyer! “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?”

So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ ” And [Jesus] said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.” (vv.27-28)

Now the religious leaders, no matter how educated, were no match for the Creator of the universe. Their knowledge and recognition of Him was dwarfed down to nothing because of the attitude that accompanied those in possession of the written word. This attitude had been cultivated. It ushered in corruption—to the point of spiritual blindness—of the very people whose assigned task it was to enlighten the world with the Good News of salvation.

Until that moment in time, this certain lawyer had felt no need of examining his own salvation. But those deeply engaging eyes and the tender voice of the Savior had brought about a glimmer of recognition of his shambolic spiritual condition. His reflex was in defense of self:

But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” (v.29)

This question is eerily reminiscent of Cain’s conversation with God just after he had killed his little brother:

Then the LORD said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” Genesis 4:9

Cain’s deviation from God’s instructions led him directly into Satan’s trap – and to such anger against Abel that he murdered him.

And now God’s chosen people—with His written word in their possession—had cultivated a form of godliness (2 Timothy 3:5) yet they were in denial of His true character and power. Beloved, we need His ‘resurrection power’ to live out His commands. This is the gift of grace. It makes all the difference between merely knowing and actually doing His will. When Jesus said, “Do this and you will live,” He knew—and wants us to know—that the power to will and to do is a gift from Him that must be received (see Philippians 2:13).

But now, having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. Romans 6:22