Luke 10:25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
The important pieces of today’s verses, the ones that show the expert’s motivation, are verses 28-29. The expert asks and answers his own question. Jesus says, basically, “Yep. You are right! Do that.” But the expert isn’t looking for answers, he wants to justify himself.
Luke 10:26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”
When you seek to justify yourself, you are, essentially, seeking to make excuses for your own behavior. You are seeking to explain why your actions were correct. That’s what the expert is doing–NOT trying to draw closer to Jesus, NOT trying to inherit eternal life, NOT trying to correct errant behavior. He is trying to justify his behavior, explain it away.
Luke 10:27 He answered, “ ‘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.’ ”
Precious Savior, As much as I want to rail against the expert’s actions, I know I am guilty of justification as well. Help me to earnestly seek You in Your word. Help me to see my actions in light of Your commands and make changes where necessary. Amen.
Luke 10:28-29 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
Have a blessed day.