Luke 10:25-29

This was a “test” given by an “expert” in God’s Law to try and trip up Jesus and justify himself – big mistake! Those who pursue this strategy are always “found wanting”. I am reminded of the words God spoke through Daniel to a pagan king making sport of the Most High by drinking from the goblets out of God’s temple and praising their own gods of gold, silver, wood and stone:Mene : God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end. 27 Tekel : You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting. 28 Peres : Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians." Dan 5:26-28 (NIV)
The question the “expert” posed had surfaced several times before. It was asked by the rich young ruler both in Matthew 19:16 and in Luke 18:18 – again seeking to justify his actions. Nicodemus also presented this question to Jesus in John chapter three, this time in honest earnestness. Our “expert” in today’s verse lacked sincerity as seen from the two points given in the text – he wanted to test Jesus and he wanted to justify himself. Jesus drives him back to the Law by answering his question by asking two others. The expert answers Jesus correctly by stating the passages from Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18. But (and this is a BIG but) after hearing Jesus’ words hearkening him to obedience, he seeks to qualify His command seeking to defend himself against the implication of Jesus’ statement. The proper response to Jesus’ words should have been “How can I do this?” “I am not able – I need help.” This would be the proper response for every person. Not one of us is able, we all need help. The Bible states:21 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:21-24 (NIV)
Paul tells us that no one will be declared righteous by observing the Law because no one can do this perfectly “for all have sinned”. Our righteousness comes through faith in Christ – there is no difference as Paul affirms in Colossians: 11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Col 3:11 (NIV)
All barriers are destroyed in Christ. We all come to the cross needy – no exceptions. What He clothes us with is His righteousness – praise Him! 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Cor 5:21 (NIV)
The Bible Knowledge Commentary states about the above verse: “Paul now summarized the basis of this message. The Cross epitomized the love of God (John 3:16) and of Christ (John 15:13; Rom. 5:8). The Savior was sinless: He had no sin. He was “without sin” (Heb. 4:15), and “in Him is no sin” (1 John 3:5). He took on Himself the sin of the world (John 1:29; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 John 2:2). God made Him... to be sin for us (cf. Isa. 53:4-6, 10). The sins of the world were placed on Him so that, in turn, His righteousness could be given those who trust Him (Rom. 5:17) and are thus in Him. That gift of righteousness is obtainable only by faith (Rom. 3:22; 6:23; Eph. 2:8-9; Phil. 3:9).” 16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." John 3:16-21 (NIV) God’s motivation towards people is love – not limited to just one group of people or a few, but towards the whole world. The expression of His love was His most priceless gift – His precious Son. He loved, He gave. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 1 Cor 15:22 (NIV)