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APRIL 11
2 He who walks in his uprightness fears
the LORD,
But he who is perverse in his ways
despises Him. 10:42 one thing...good part. Jesus was not
speaking of the number of dishes to be served.
Luke 10:25–42
The one thing necessary was exemplified by
25 And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and Mary, i.e, an attitude of worship and medita-
tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do tion,listening with an open mind and heart to
to inherit eternal life?” Jesus’words.
26 He said to him, “What is written in the law?
What is your reading of it?”
27 So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love 35 On the next day, when he departed, he took
the LORD your God with all your heart, with all out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper,
your soul, with all your strength, and with all and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and what-
your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ ” ever more you spend, when I come again, I
28 And He said to him, “You have answered will repay you.’ So which of these three do
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rightly; do this and you will live.” you think was neighbor to him who fell among
29 But he, wanting to justify himself, said to the thieves?”
Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 37 And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.”
30 Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, 38 Now it happened as they went that He
and fell among thieves, who stripped him of entered a certain village; and a certain woman
his clothing, wounded him, and departed, named Martha welcomed Him into her house.
leaving him half dead. Now by chance a cer- 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also
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tain priest came down that road. And when he sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But
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saw him, he passed by on the other side. Martha was distracted with much serving,
32 Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do
place, came and looked, and passed by on the You not care that my sister has left me to
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other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”
journeyed, came where he was. And when he 41 And Jesus answered and said to her, “Mar-
saw him, he had compassion. So he went to tha, Martha, you are worried and troubled
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him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil about many things. But one thing is needed,
42
and wine; and he set him on his own animal, and Mary has chosen that good part, which
brought him to an inn, and took care of him. will not be taken away from her.”
DAY 11: If we are to love our neighbor, who is our neighbor?

The lawyer who asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life in Luke 10:25 knew the
commandments well enough. But when he asked Jesus,“Who is my neighbor?”we are told that he
was “wanting to justify himself” (v. 29). It revealed the man’s self-righteous character, as well as his
desire to test Christ.
The prevailing opinion among scribes and Pharisees was that one’s neighbors were the righteous
alone. According to them, the wicked—including rank sinners (such as tax collectors and prosti-
tutes), Gentiles, and especially Samaritans—were to be hated because they were the enemies of
God.They cited Psalm 139:21,22 to justify their position. As that passage suggests, hatred of evil is
the natural corollary of loving righteousness. But the truly righteous person’s “hatred”for sinners is
not a malevolent enmity.It is a righteous abhorrence of all that is base and corrupt—not a spiteful,
personal loathing of individuals.Godly hatred is marked by a brokenhearted grieving over the con-
dition of the sinner.And as Jesus taught here and elsewhere (6:27–36; Matt.5:44–48), it is also tem-
pered by a genuine love. The Pharisees had elevated hostility toward the wicked to the status of a
virtue, in effect nullifying the second Great Commandment. Jesus’ answer to this lawyer demolished
the Pharisaical excuse for hating one’s enemies.
Contrasting the Levite,a religious person who assisted the priests in the work of the temple,with
a despised Samaritan,who rescued the wounded person,Jesus reversed the lawyer’s original question
(v. 29). The lawyer assumed it was up to others to prove themselves neighbor to him. Jesus’ reply
makes it clear that each has a responsibility to be a neighbor—especially to those who are in need.

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