To Justify Himself

A religious leader planned to catch Jesus with a trick question by asking how a person could, “inherit eternal life?” (Lk. 10:25 NIV) This would seem simple, but it was controversial because organized religion was in the habit of complicating simple truth. One group—the Sadducees—even taught there was no life after death.

Scripture contained an answer, however, and the simple truth was well known. Jesus let the man begin their discussion by asking the man to quote it: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind.” And “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (v. 27)

Perhaps the expert was even waiting for superficial excuses in tune with prevailing ideas of the culture, but Jesus confronted him: “You have answered correctly . . . Do this and you will live.” (v. 28)

Simple truth is usually hard to live. Although the religious man recognized his guilt, he wanted to rationalize a way to ignore God’s clear command. The Bible says, “But he wanted to justify himself.” So he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” (v. 29)

Originally published May 2, 1986.