The Ancient Barlow from GEC and Charlie C.... Only New!

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

“What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

He answered, “‘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.’”

“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

-- Luke 10:25-29,36-37

This parable is both instructive to the believer and a trap to the one who justifies himself. For the believer, it's an example of how to live out Christlike love, and in it, Christ defines our neighbors as people who are known to us who are in need... any people. For the self righteous who justifiy themselves by The Law, it sets before them an impossible task -- to meet the needs of ALL who have needs and are known to us -- every single one, without fail. "Go and do likewise," Mr. Law expert. If you are justified by The Law, Jesus shows us exactly what that looks like. Do you measure up? No? Better find Jesus. He is coming! He is coming soon!