LESSON 2

60 MINS

SECTION 1 = 5 mins

3 MINS >> refleCTION

JUSTIFY

The lawyer shifts tactics from testing Jesus to justifying or vindicating himself. At first, he may have been suspicious and jealous. Now he seems more anxious and ashamed. [1] Hubris is taking over. In Luke 10:29, he asks Jesus: Who is my neighbor? This central question, the second question asked by the lawyer, is the title of this devotional series. It sounds like a question we might use as a filter today. It’s another “good” question. Unfortunately, it’s probably being asked in an impertinent manner.

Instead of answering the lawyer’s question directly, Jesus redirects the conversation again and tells a story about a Samaritan. (We now know it as The Good Samaritan story.) After telling the story, Jesus asks the lawyer to identify who was a neighbor to the injured man. This new question shifts the emphasis from Who is my neighbor? to Who was a neighbor? The lawyer answered that it was the one who had shown mercy, which was the Samaritan. Jesus tells him to go and do likewise. Here, they agree, at least intellectually, for the second time.

The lawyer, however, may not have moved any closer to Jesus or the truth. Suspicion, jealousy, pride, and shame may still be getting in the way of receiving what Jesus is saying. The lawyer may be too focused on defending what he believes and as a result rejects the truth.

The lawyer’s answer this time does come from the story Jesus told. It’s not direct quote from Mosaic Law. The New Covenant is unfolding even as they speak. Jesus and the lawyer continue to agree on what to do to inherit eternal life; however, we don’t know if they’re any closer relationally.

The lawyer’s attitude toward Jesus is still seems adversarial. The lawyer doesn’t want to acknowledge or name the Samaritan as the hero of the story since the Samariatans and Israelites were longtime enemies. The lawyer is likely shocked that the priest and Levite are portrayed as being insensitive to the urgent needs of the wounded person. The lawyer’s motives are being exposed and his beliefs are being upended. We don’t know if the lawyer walks away feeling sad, angry, embarrassed, humbled, convicted, repentant, or what.

References:

[1] Joseph A. Fitzmyer, S.J., The Anchor Bible, The Gospel According to Luke X-XXIV (Garden City, NY: Doubleday & Co., Inc., 1985), 886.

2 mins >> DISCUSSIOn QUESTIONS + PROMPTS

Discuss the reflection reading above.

SECTION 2 = 10 mins

3 MINS >> read luke 10:25-37 (NRSV shown below)

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.”

7 mins >> Discussion Questions + Prompts

  • Compare the language from Deuteronomy 6 with Luke 10:25-37.

  • How does Deuteronomy 6 instruct Israel to remember and not forget what God has told them to do?

  • In what ways, today, can we remember and not forget to do what God has told us to do?

  • What two things does Jesus tell the lawyer to do?

SECTION 3 = 10 mins

5 mins >> Watch Bible Project’s Ahavah/Love

5 mins >> Discussion Questions + Prompts

  • Share your thoughts about the video.

  • How does ahavah relate to love as described in Luke 10:25-37?

  • How does ahavah compare to khesed (from Day 1)?

SECTION 4 = 12 mins

7 MINS >> Read Templeton Foundation’s CHRISTIAN TRUST in GOD

5 MINS >> Discussion Questions & Prompts

  • Share your thoughts about this article.

  • How is trust related to Luke 10:25-37?

SECTION 5 = 15 mins

10 mins >> FLORILEGIUM

Take a minute or two to read Matthew 5:43-48 NRSV. Then, complete Steps 1-3 which are listed below.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven, for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

1. VERBATIM >> 3 mins >> Choose one key sentence to copy verbatim onto a piece of paper or in a journal.

2. HIGHLIGHT >> 1 min >> Identify a key word or phrase from that sentence.

3. COMMENTARY >> 4 mins >> In your own words, write a few sentences about the reading in general or your selection in particular.

5 mins >> Discussion Questions + Prompts

  • What is the word or phrase that stood out to you?

  • Share what you wrote in your commentary.

SECTION 6 = 8 mins

7 mins >> Discussion Questions & Prompts

  • Discuss how you want to be loved by God & your neighbor.

  • Take a moment to write down your answer.

1 min >> Prayer & Dismissal

  • Lord, Help us to feel compassion for others who are in need. Amen.