"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?” In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ “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 10:25-37
In Matthew 22, Jesus referred to those commandments as the two greatest. Think about it. If that must be true of you to have eternal life then of course they must be the greatest. More to the point - if you don't love your neighbor as yourself then the reason is that you don't love God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind. The reason? Because our expression of love toward others is a reflection of our love of God. John wrote ....
"If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?" - 1 John 4:20
It is the same idea. In the story of the Good Samaritan, the priest and Levite were too self-focused to care about one of their countrymen - a fellow Jew - who was in trouble and needed help. Then along comes a Samaritan - the last person that would help a Jew - and the last person a Jew would ever help. The Samaritan went above and beyond out of compassion for the man in the ditch, a man he did not know and likely would not have helped him if the tables were turned. So, like it or not, the expert in the law had to admit that it was the one, the Samaritan, who showed mercy proved to be the true neighbor.
There is an old saying, "A friend in need is a friend indeed" It was not until about a year ago did I work through what that meant. A person who is a friend and helps someone when they are in need is a true friend - or neighbor. Some are willing to help if it is convenient, but few are willing to help when it is not - convenient. That is showing mercy. For the Jewish man in the ditch, he most likely did not deserve for the Samaritan to show him mercy and grace. Mercy, meaning not getting what you deserve. Grace, meaning getting what you don't deserve.
I am reminded of a song sung by Matt Maher, "Your Love Defends Me". You are my joy. You are my song. You are the well, the One I'm drawing from. You are my refuge, my whole life long. Where else would I go? Surely my God is the strength of my soul. Your love defends me. Your love defends me.
Another one is The Love Of God. The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell; it goes beyond the highest star, and reaches to the lowest hell. The wand'ring child is reconciled by God's beloved Son. The aching soul again made whole, and priceless pardon won. Refrain: O love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong! It shall forevermore endure— the saints’ and angels’ song.
Rest in, walk out, and show the love of God wherever you go.
Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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