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timewithgod.blog-city.com — August 2009
Luke 10 -- Be Careful What You ASK
The expert on the law was determined to trip Jesus up in his questioning, but he turned out to be too clever for his own good. His initial question was, “What must I do to get life forever?” He believed that Jesus was only a t
The expert on the law was determined to trip Jesus up in his questioning, but he turned out to be too clever for his own good. His initial question was, “What must I do to get life forever?” He believed that Jesus was only a teacher, and that eternal life was something he could earn, according to my commentary. Knowing this man’s fascination with determining and adhering to the Law, Jesus answered him indirectly with another question: “What is written in the law?” The man answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind. Love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus’ response seemed to promote salvation by law keeping, but it was really meant to evoke a response from the law expert. Jesus knew he wouldn’t let it go: “Your answer is right. Do this and you will live.” He might have just as well said, “Lift the Empire State Building three feet above your head.” The Law was only meant to produce the knowledge of sin. It had no power to save. My commentary added, “The Ten Commandments were given to people who were ALREADY sinners… The function of the Law is to show man what a guilty sinner he is… It is impossible for sinful man to love God with all his heart, and his neighbor as himself… Eternal life is only for sinners who acknowledge their lost condition and who are saved by God’s grace.” The expert in the law was probably a little shaken at that point. In fact, he went on the defensive. He should have said, “If that’s what God requires, then I’m lost, helpless, and hopeless.! Instead, my commentary says he tried to justify himself, saying “Who is my neighbor?” That was about like saying, “How far do I have to carry this anyway?” There was a consciousness of fault and his heart rose up in pride to resist according to my commentary. Jesus then told the parable of the Good Samaritan, where both the priest and the Levite chose not to help the robbery victim. The priest and the Levite were knowledgeable regarding the Law, but just as the Law had no power to save, it also did not give the power to obey. Jesus’ choice of the Samaritan (considered a despised half-breed by the Jews) as the hero of the story probably galled the law expert. In fact, when Jesus asked which of the three best illustrated the term “neighbor”, the expert couldn’t even bring himself to say the word. Instead, he answered, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus told him he’d answered correctly and then commanded him to go do what the Samaritan did. That interesting twist ended up changing the lawyer’s question from “Who is my neighbor?” to this: “To whom do you prove yourself a neighbor?” (From my commentary). Open mouth and insert foot. Father, please help me not to spend so much time interpreting the Law as doing ministry. In Jesus’ story, the robbery victim did not have to qualify himself as a victim. So too, I shouldn’t try to qualify who I help. Remind me to let go of the material things You’ve blessed me with in order to bless others with them. Never let my prideful heart get in the way of true ministry, and never let me dare believe that I can earn my way to You. Your Brother In Christ,Gary Ford
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