Informed or Transformed?
Opening Prayer
Pray that your study of God’s Word today will lead to a transformation of your mind, heart and lifestyle.
Read LUKE 10:25-37
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
[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?” [26] “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” [27] 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.'” [28] “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” [29] But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” [30] 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. [31] A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. [32] So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. [33] But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. [34] 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. [35] 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.’ [36] “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” [37] The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
Who is Jesus saying is our neighbor?“What must I do to inherit eternal life?” (25). Jesus responds with another question (26), and the expert gives the correct answer (27,28a). Yet something vital is missing—the right information has not resulted in the man’s transformation. Jesus adds, “Do this and you will live” (28b), implying that the man is not doing so.
His question, “Who is my neighbor?” (29), reveals the expert’s attempts to place limits around the command to “love your neighbor.” His failure to fulfill this commandment springs not from a lack of information about the identity of his neighbor, but from a lack of love.
At the end of the parable, Jesus asks another question (36); again, the expert supplies the correct answer (37a), but the need is not for more information, but heart conversion, leading to life transformation. So Jesus urges, “Go and do likewise” (37b). This emphasis on “doing” does not mean that salvation depends on good deeds. Nevertheless, the fruit of true conversion is an abundance of good deeds, beyond obeying rules and regulations.
Apply
How will the information you gained through God’s Word transform your attitudes, behavior and lifestyle?
Closing prayer
Lord. may the information You give me from Your Word be used to transform my life to make me more like You.
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