Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: Luke 10 and Psalm 26

The parable of the Good Samaritan (v.30-35) is one of Jesus’ best known stories. It’s point is so crystal clear that we risk not seeing the wood for the trees if we dissect it in minute detail.

An expert in the Law approached Jesus with a technical question about how to inherit eternal life. Then – when Jesus set the bar exceptionally high by pointing him back to the prescription of the Law of Moses that we should love the LORD completely in heart, soul, strength and mind, and love our neighbour as we love ourself – the man tried to find a loophole by asking who qualifies as our neighbour.

The parable of the Good Samaritan was Jesus’ way of saying, in effect, “Oh no, my good man! The only qualification for someone to be the ‘neighbour’ you should love as well as you love yourself, is that they should stand in need of that love. If a good neighbour is someone who has mercy on someone in need … then anyone in need whose path crosses yours is your neighbour.” As we would say in South Africa: “Finished and klaar!”

Life application: It is, simultaneously, that simple and that profoundly challenging. Look for the particular person in need who God brings across your path today. And when your capacity to care for a need matches their need … love them with the love of Christ.