AND WHO IS MY NEIGHBOUR? - PART 1

SATURDAY 26 APRIL 2025

I'm grateful to introduce a new topic, stated above, which is known as "AND WHO IS MY NEIGHBOUR?" This topic is part of the versified passage numbered as Luke 10:25-37, where the Bible gave a brief narrative account of "the Parable of the Good Samaritan." More below!

Reference: Luke 10:29 New International Version (NIV)

"But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbour?"'

Before I commence the detailed expository knowledge of the structure of this parable, let us examine the context of the above versified reference, which is within the passage below, in order to clarify the situation that led to the question: "And who is my neighbour?"

(Luke 10:25-29 NIV)

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?" Jesus replied. "How do you read it?"

He answered Jesus: "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 neighbour 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 neighbour?" (To be continued in the next part).

Beloved, this was an expert in Torah; a man with a sole medium of knowledge in the Jewish law. As we already know, Torah is the written evidence of divine revelation to Israel, [the Jewish people] which was compiled as the first five books of the Hebrew Bible. Moreover although he had a knowledgeable insight into God's revealed teaching or guidance specifically obtained for Israel, his intention with regard to asking the Lord Jesus the first question wasn't right; he mindfully tried to trap him by asking, "Rabbi, what should I do to obtain eternal life?"

The Lord Jesus Christ Himself is the full revelation of heavenly realities, and for this reason, many a man's thoughts and desires were drawn to His own teaching. So as wise man, Jesus answered the expert with a wiser idea - encapsulated in the question: "What is written in the Law?" "How do you read it?" Now watch this: Did you grasp what Jesus did by presenting that question to the expert?

Wisely, Jesus wasn't oblivious or heedless to start comparing the distinction between "Torah" and the "Word of His grace", the latter which was introduced by the Lord Jesus, but rather he suggested that question to the expert in a way that would invite his accurate understanding of the law - without him losing the sense of rightly using and faithfully keeping the law. To that effect, Jesus replied him in this manner: "You have answered correctly,"  "Do this and you will live" (see Luke 10:28 CEB).

Beloved, regardless of his intention to trap Jesus with such question, Jesus' own response was working as a blessing for him, because Jesus had a different form of mindset: an excellent mind and Spirit. Stay tuned for the successive parts of this topic. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Proverbs 3:5-8; Matthew 11:2-6 ; John 6:67-71; Matthew 28:16-17; James 1:2-8.

Exuberant Declaration:

Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I acknowledge that you are wiser than all mankind, and I thank you for your uncommon beneficial wisdom in dealing with all manner of people that comes to you.  By your Spirit, I show my profound gratitude for a fresh and constant upgrade of your grace flowing through my entire being, which in turn, positions me to function wisely just as you were in this world, through an intimacy, awe, and inspiration that emanate from my fellowship with the Word. Praise God!