The lawyer who confidently thought he was sharp-witted had never debated with God. His first question, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” seemed to take him on the path to trap Jesus in saying something the religious leaders could hold against Him.

The second question “who is my neighbor?” turned the tables. Jesus told him the parable that established a fact-no person is a “non-neighbor.” The lawyer despised Samaritans. Softly, Jesus told him the parable-then patiently asked a question that left no room for exceptions…not even a Samaritan.

“Which one of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man…?”

This is the parable…

“But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”” Luke 10:29-37

The lawyer didn’t expect this. He had come to test Jesus, perhaps trap Jesus to misspeak. Yet, before he came, Jesus knew the man’s heart. He loved the lawyer. He knows our hearts and He loves us. Love is why Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan. Love is why Jesus went to the cross. The love of Jesus for us is why we have Easter.

Wondering who your neighbor is? If you are reading this, words of Jesus to the lawyer are also for you and me. Jesus softly tells us, “You go and do likewise.”  And, He will give us strength to love “our neighbors” and show them mercy.