Day 2: The Lawyer’s Challenge
New Testament: Luke 10:28-30
Old Testament: Leviticus 19:17-18
I promise – no lawyer jokes – but this text today has me thinking of a few.
What did the learned Levite ask Jesus? “Who is my neighbor?” This question wasn’t as straightforward as it might seem. It wasn’t a genuine query but a calculated move, rooted in centuries of theological debate and cultural tension.
Historical Context
The lawyer’s question—“Who is my neighbor?”—wasn’t new. It reflected an ongoing debate among Jewish scholars about the scope of the command in Leviticus 19:18: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
The term “neighbor” (Hebrew: rea) was often understood to mean a fellow Israelite, someone within the covenant community. But even within this interpretation, there were divisions:
But let’s consider the lawyer for a moment. He was an expert in the law; he would have been well-versed in these debates. He was up to something!
His question wasn’t one of ignorance—it was a challenge. By asking, “Who is my neighbor?” he aimed to draw Jesus into a contentious issue, possibly hoping to discredit Him among the crowd.
But there’s another layer here: self-justification.
Luke tells us that the lawyer asked this question to “justify himself” (Luke 10:29).
Why? Because Jesus’ response to his first question—“What must I do to inherit eternal life?”—had left no room for loopholes.
Jesus put the lawyer in a predicament, and it stung his pride. The lawyer wanted to prove that he wasn’t just knowledgeable about the law but also righteous in its application.
His question wasn’t born of humility but of smugness, as if to say, “Surely I’ve already fulfilled this command. Just tell me who counts.”
The lawyer’s challenge was designed to put Jesus in a no-win situation.
If Jesus defined “neighbor” narrowly, the lawyer could accuse Him of lacking compassion.
If Jesus defined it broadly, including Gentiles or Samaritans, He risked alienating His Jewish audience.
The lawyer’s smugness came from his belief that he’d already met the requirements of the law—and that Jesus would stumble when pressed to clarify.
But here’s the irony: the lawyer, an expert in the law, should have known the deeper truth. Leviticus 19:18 wasn’t just about legalistic definitions; it was about embodying God’s character in relationships.
By asking for a definition of “neighbor,” the lawyer revealed a heart more concerned with boundaries than with love.
And this is what I hope you find is the point of today’s blog – we must be on guard for hearts that have boundaries…. “who is worthy of my kindness/love/attention?”
Modern Context
How often do we seek to justify ourselves by narrowing the scope of love? We might not use the word “neighbor,” but the sentiment is the same:
Just like the lawyer, we want love to be manageable, definable, and safe.
But Jesus refuses to let us set limits on compassion. He flips the lawyer’s question on its head.
The issue isn’t “Who is my neighbor?” but rather, “What kind of neighbor am I?”
BOOM! Mic-drop!
So, What kind of neighbor are you?
Reflection
It’s never fun to take self-surveys but this scripture is begging our attention.
Are there people or groups you exclude—intentionally or unconsciously—from your definition of “neighbor”?
Loving God means loving those He puts in our path—even when it’s inconvenient, uncomfortable, or undeserved or – Icky!
Prayer
Lord Jesus,
Thank You for showing us what it means to love without limits.
Forgive us for the times we seek to justify ourselves by narrowing the scope of Your command. Help us to see others through Your eyes, with hearts open to those who are different, difficult, or distant.
Teach us to be neighbors to all, reflecting Your grace and mercy in every interaction.
May we love as You love—freely, fully, and without boundaries.
Amen.
New Testament: Luke 10:28-30
Old Testament: Leviticus 19:17-18
I promise – no lawyer jokes – but this text today has me thinking of a few.
What did the learned Levite ask Jesus? “Who is my neighbor?” This question wasn’t as straightforward as it might seem. It wasn’t a genuine query but a calculated move, rooted in centuries of theological debate and cultural tension.
Historical Context
The lawyer’s question—“Who is my neighbor?”—wasn’t new. It reflected an ongoing debate among Jewish scholars about the scope of the command in Leviticus 19:18: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
The term “neighbor” (Hebrew: rea) was often understood to mean a fellow Israelite, someone within the covenant community. But even within this interpretation, there were divisions:
- The Pharisaic View: Many Pharisees interpreted “neighbor” narrowly, limiting it to Israelites who upheld the law. Sinners, tax collectors, and the ritually unclean were often excluded.
- The Essenes’ View: The Essenes, a separatist sect, restricted “neighbor” even further, applying it only to their own community while viewing outsiders with suspicion or outright hostility. John the Baptist is thought to have been Essene.
- The Broader View: Some rabbis argued for a more inclusive interpretation, citing scriptures like Leviticus 19:34, which commanded love for the foreigner living among Israel. However, this view was less popular and often dismissed.
But let’s consider the lawyer for a moment. He was an expert in the law; he would have been well-versed in these debates. He was up to something!
His question wasn’t one of ignorance—it was a challenge. By asking, “Who is my neighbor?” he aimed to draw Jesus into a contentious issue, possibly hoping to discredit Him among the crowd.
But there’s another layer here: self-justification.
Luke tells us that the lawyer asked this question to “justify himself” (Luke 10:29).
Why? Because Jesus’ response to his first question—“What must I do to inherit eternal life?”—had left no room for loopholes.
Jesus put the lawyer in a predicament, and it stung his pride. The lawyer wanted to prove that he wasn’t just knowledgeable about the law but also righteous in its application.
His question wasn’t born of humility but of smugness, as if to say, “Surely I’ve already fulfilled this command. Just tell me who counts.”
The lawyer’s challenge was designed to put Jesus in a no-win situation.
If Jesus defined “neighbor” narrowly, the lawyer could accuse Him of lacking compassion.
If Jesus defined it broadly, including Gentiles or Samaritans, He risked alienating His Jewish audience.
The lawyer’s smugness came from his belief that he’d already met the requirements of the law—and that Jesus would stumble when pressed to clarify.
But here’s the irony: the lawyer, an expert in the law, should have known the deeper truth. Leviticus 19:18 wasn’t just about legalistic definitions; it was about embodying God’s character in relationships.
By asking for a definition of “neighbor,” the lawyer revealed a heart more concerned with boundaries than with love.
And this is what I hope you find is the point of today’s blog – we must be on guard for hearts that have boundaries…. “who is worthy of my kindness/love/attention?”
Modern Context
How often do we seek to justify ourselves by narrowing the scope of love? We might not use the word “neighbor,” but the sentiment is the same:
“Do I really have to love that person who hurt me?”
“Does God expect me to care about people who don’t share my beliefs?”
“How far does my responsibility to help others really go?”
Just like the lawyer, we want love to be manageable, definable, and safe.
But Jesus refuses to let us set limits on compassion. He flips the lawyer’s question on its head.
The issue isn’t “Who is my neighbor?” but rather, “What kind of neighbor am I?”
BOOM! Mic-drop!
So, What kind of neighbor are you?
Reflection
It’s never fun to take self-surveys but this scripture is begging our attention.
Are there people or groups you exclude—intentionally or unconsciously—from your definition of “neighbor”?
Loving God means loving those He puts in our path—even when it’s inconvenient, uncomfortable, or undeserved or – Icky!
Prayer
Lord Jesus,
Thank You for showing us what it means to love without limits.
Forgive us for the times we seek to justify ourselves by narrowing the scope of Your command. Help us to see others through Your eyes, with hearts open to those who are different, difficult, or distant.
Teach us to be neighbors to all, reflecting Your grace and mercy in every interaction.
May we love as You love—freely, fully, and without boundaries.
Amen.
Posted in Pentecost 2025
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