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After taking a few weeks break, we are continuing our study of Luke chapter 10 and in particular, we’re looking at verses 25-37. This is commonly referred to as the story of ‘The Good Samaritan’. I’m sure you’re more than familiar with this passage, but please read these verses every day this week and, if possible use a different translation each day, asking God to open your eyes to fresh revelation from His Word.
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Luke 10:25
‘On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”’
Quite a few years ago, when I was probably about 9 or 10, I was listening intently to someone preaching at a small church in the South Wales valleys. He was giving a message from the book of Ephesians and was highlighting some detail that he felt most people had never seen before.
He was really good, had been a pastor for many years and was ordained as an apostle by the denomination I was attending. I, on the other hand, had only been alive a short time and was enthralled with anything detailed and out of the ordinary.
He mentioned something that made no sense to me and I really wanted to know the reasoning behind the statement. So, after the service I boldly walked up to him and asked him why he’d said it. Looking back now, I’m amazed that, at that young age, I was even listening to the preacher, yet alone trying to get a full explanation for the comments made during the preach!
Anyway, I stood there without a modicum of shyness and looked up at him expecting an explanation. His reaction took my breath away slightly. This is my paraphrase: “How dare you speak to an apostle like that. When you’ve lived a little longer and have learned something, then come back and speak to me.” He had felt that I was trying to be clever and was attempting to get one over on him. I genuinely don’t think that my motive was anything other than pure, but boy did I get a roasting off of him.
Our verse today clearly states the motive of an ‘expert in the law’: He wanted to test Jesus. He wasn’t interested in learning anything at all. He wanted to show how knowledgeable he was and to trick the Saviour.
Over the years, I’ve seen many people show interest in becoming a Christian by what they say, and yet their words don’t result in a personal relationship with Jesus. My prayer today is that we come to Jesus with a genuine heart and pure motive. Jesus said “I will never turn away anyone who comes to me”. (John 6:37 God’s Word Translation)
Let us guard our hearts to ensure we come to the Saviour with the right attitude and spend time in His presence with no motive other than to learn from Him and worship Him. He’s worthy of all our praise!
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