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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 10:25-26
‘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?”’
Before we delve a little more deeply into these verses, I want to point out one aspect of the question being asked by the ‘expert’. He doesn’t seem to be asking ‘How do I GET eternal life?’, rather he’s asking ‘What must I DO?’. This may seem insignificant, but it really describes the reason for Jesus’ response.
In John chapter 3, Nicodemus was informed by Jesus that he ‘must be born-again’. This is entirely a work of grace and cannot be accomplished by anything done on our part. In our verses in Luke, Jesus talked more about actions and seemed to be saying that it is possible to gain eternal life through works. The expert in the law was asking what he had to DO and therefore Jesus responded accordingly and asked him to explain what the requirement of the law was. It’s as if Jesus is saying, ‘if you want to work your way into heaven, then the requirements are quite clear – follow the law’.
In Romans, Paul explains that the law, which is good, actually produces death through the recognition of sin. We don’t know that we’re sinful unless we compare ourselves to its standards. For example, I can’t be guilty of speeding at 50 miles per hour unless there are signs saying that the limit is 40 miles per hour.
Jesus asks a very simple question that leads the man into all sorts of problems: ‘What is written in the law? how do you read it?’ Jesus asks a similar question of Peter – ‘Who do you say that I am?’. It’s very easy for us to quote the scripture as it applies to someone else. We’re good at pointing fingers at other people and highlighting where they are going wrong. It’s much, much harder for us to use the Word of God and to compare our own lives to it. It’s only then do we see ourselves as God sees us.
We can look at the requirements of the law and perhaps some of us will be able to claim a reasonably good effort at keeping it. Unfortunately, if we don’t keep it ALL, then we’re guilty of breaking it all.
Someone once said that the law is like a chain of 10 links and we are holding on to this chain while hanging from a cliff. How many links would have to break in order for us to fall to our death? The obvious answer is just one. All the other 9 may be in perfect order, but it counts for nothing. It’s the same as our attempts at keeping the law. We only have to break 1 in order to be found unrighteous.
Praise God that He has provided a way to eternal life that is not dependent on our righteous acts. Jesus came and lived the perfect life so that we can look to Him and be saved. He has become our Salvation and He is our righteousness. Hallelujah!
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