TEST
The Good Samaritan story is part of a thirteen-verse, back-and-forth conversation between Jesus and a Jewish expert in religion and law (Luke 10:25-37). The story itself is six verses (Luke 10:30-35) and is not found in Matthew, Mark, or John.
The Jewish leaders are acting suspicious and jealous of Jesus who is emerging as an authority figure. Jesus is performing miracles and healing people. He’s saying some things that contradict what these religious experts are saying. He’s disrupting their status quo.
To quell the momentum, a lawyer attempts to test Jesus (v25) by asking him: What must I do to inherit eternal life? The test is to see what Jesus knows as well as to see if Jesus is who he claims to be. The lawyer may hope that Jesus will say something controversial and undermine himself.
Jesus immediately detects the lawyer’s ignoble intent and redirects the conversation (v26). He asks the lawyer: What is written in the Law? What do you read there? These interrelated questions seem to be asking for both a verbatim statement and an interpretation. In response, the lawyer combines words from Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18 (v27). Jesus affirms the lawyer’s answer (v28). They agree on what is written verbatim (loving God and neighbor); however, they haven’t agreed on the full meaning of loving your neighbor.
To Jesus, the lawyer’s question may have sounded more like a demand than a request. [1] The lawyer’s motive and intent may have been revealed through his facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice. A pleasant, reasonable request is usually well received and is perceived as respectful. It helps to maintain or build trust. A demand is perceived as unpleasant and perhaps unreasonable. It isn’t well received because it feels hostile or aggressive. It activates our defense mechanisms and we go into self-protection mode. It builds tension. To put someone on-the-spot and test them like that can certainly feel confrontational. The conversation either loses momentum or it becomes too intense; however, this one doesn’t go sideways. Jesus is not threatened by the lawyer’s knowledge or behavior. Jesus keeps it focused on the truth of loving God and neighbor.
At this point, Jesus and the lawyer are in agreement intellectually about what a person must do to inherit eternal life. Unfortunately, distrust is keeping the lawyer distant from Jesus. The lawyer is missing an opportunity to learn more from Jesus and to grow relationally closer to Jesus. The all-important question about inheriting eternal life has been answered, but the conversation is far from over. If only the lawyer will humble himself and become curious about what Jesus is saying he would learn and grow. The lawyer has a “good” question; however, it doesn’t seem like his intent is to learn, grow, build trust, or develop the relationship.
Without love from God, we have a tendency to be possessive. [2] Out of our neediness, we hold on to others a bit too tightly expecting them to give us what only God can give. Love, as Jesus will demonstrate to the lawyer, feels compassion and shows mercy for others. It’s outwardly expressive. It’s not possessive, controlling, or demanding.
References:
[1] Marshall B. Rosenberg, Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life (Encinitas, CA: Puddle Press, 2015), 79.
[2] Henri Nouwen “Disciples of the Beloved” Sermon at the Chrystal Cathedral on YouTube Part 6, Part 7, Part 8
Discuss the reflection reading above.
Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus.
“Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
He said to him,
“What is written in the law? What do you read there?”
He answered,
“You shall 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 your neighbor as yourself.”
And he said to him,
“You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.”
But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus,
“And who is my neighbor?”
Jesus replied,
“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said,
‘Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’
Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?”
He said,
“The one who showed him mercy.”
Jesus said to him,
“Go and do likewise.”
Name some of the key words & phrases in Luke 10:25-37.
Identify all of the questions & the answers.
What are your impressions of the video.
Name some ways God been loyal to you?
How does khesed relate to love as described in Luke 10:25-37?
What are your thoughts about the article?
How does the article inform your understanding of Luke 10:25-37?
Find a quiet place. Write down your answers for each step.
1. LECTIO >> 3 mins >> In silence, read the verses from Matthew 22:34-40 NRSV shown below. Choose a word or phrase that stands out.
When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them, an expert in the law, asked him a question to test him. “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
2. MEDITATIO >> 2 mins >> Meditate & reflect on the word/phrase chosen in step 1. Is there anything going on within you or in your life related to this word?
3. ORATIO >> 3 mins >> Bring the word/phrase into conversation with God. Listen. Is God revealing anything new?
4. CONTEMPLATIO >> 2 mins >> Empty your mind & rest in God’s presence. Be still. Let God draw near.
What word or phrase stood out to you?
Describe something you learned or experienced in one of the four steps.
How does this passage relate to Luke 10:25-37?
Discuss how would you answer the question, Who Is My Neighbor?
Take a moment to write down your answer.
Jesus, Help us to love our neighbor today. Amen.