“And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 10:25).  

The biblical passage in Luke 10:25-42 provides a rich narrative that unveils four distinct views of life, as encountered by a certain lawyer who seeks to test Jesus. As we delve into the dialogue and parables presented, we uncover profound insights into human nature and the pursuit of righteous living.

Jesus answers the initial question by asking the Lawyer about the Law, and the Lawyer answers well.

“And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live” (Luke 10: 27-28; cf. Le 19:18; De 6:5).

The Lawyer’s response and the parable which follows give us insight into the 4 Views of Life.

The lawyer unveils the first view: Self-Righteousness. In questioning Jesus about who his neighbor is, the lawyer exposes an inclination to justify himself. “But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?” This attitude is mirrored in Luke 18:9-14, where a Pharisee boasts of his righteousness compared to others. The message is clear – salvation is not achieved through self-righteousness, but through humility, Faithful obedience, and reliance on God.

The second view is revealed in the parable of the Good Samaritan. The narrative describes some who live in iniquity as seen in the actions of a thief, a Priest, and a Levite. This section highlights the fact that people’s actions declare what is in their hearts (Matt 7:15-20). Thieves hate to be stolen from, and their theft exposes their iniquity & hypocrisy. So also, the Priest and the Levite. “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”

The Samaritan exemplifies the third view of life. “But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him” (33). A Samaritan would have been looked down upon by the Lawyer, the Priest, and the Levite. The Samaritans knew this, (John 4:9). Being full of compassion, the Samaritan man, “went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him” (34).

After the telling of the parable, Jesus asks, “Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?  And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise” (36, 37). Jesus takes the Lawyer back to the answer given to the original question.

We usually stop here, but there is another scene in this chapter that relates to the views of life. The short account of Martha & Mary. While Jesus is teaching, Mary sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. “But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me” (40). Jesus gives us the fourth view of Life; “Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (41, 42). This view is about distractions that take us away from hearing about eternal life. Jesus warned about THORNS, the 3^rd soil in the parable of the Sower. While there’s commendation in serving, we must remain mindful of the things pertaining to eternal life. “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col 3:2).

 Agape,

Spencer

Spencer is an evangelist for the Franklin & Juniper st church of Christ in Borger, Texas.