“GO AND DO LIKEWISE”
Luke 10:25-42
Key Verse: 10:37b “Jesus told him, ‘Go and do likewise.’”
After a long summer
break, it’s now September, the start of a new fall semester. Looking back, I
think this summer has been quite eventful. Specifically, our NJ UBF deeply
studied the book of Daniel through GLEF, learning what kind of life shines like
a star in heaven. We also had ISBC. We gained a deeper understanding of God’s
glory. We also had the privilege of serving and sharing in fellowship with many
guests. We give thanks to God for greatly blessing our summer. Growing as
excellent Bible teacher is very important. However, there is something more
important than having abundant spiritual knowledge. It is to live by what we
learned. Furthermore, there is something more important than doing many things:
not missing what is most important. In today’s passage, Jesus teaches us this
important truth through conversation with the expert in the law and Martha’s
case. As we study today’s passage, we pray that we can deeply reflect on what
kind of life leads to eternal life.
I. Go
and do likewise. (25-37)
Look at verse 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?'” An “expert in the law” is the religious elite of Jesus’
day. People often call them “scribes” or “lawyers”, and they’re
like teachers, judges, and advisors in their community. They help guide how
people practice their religion. However, they often tried to use the law as a
tool to preserve their own privileges, and because of this, they often clashed
with Jesus, who taught the true spirit of the law.
The Bible tells us that
this expert in the law asked this question to test Jesus. Perhaps he had a
hidden motive, hoping to trap Jesus in His words. What is Jesus’ answer to this
question? In our Father of Faith Bible study, we’ve discussed that Jesus might
have simply said, “Follow me,” if someone else had asked the
question. But Jesus responds by asking the expert, “What is written in the Law?
How do you read it?” Instead of giving a straight answer, Jesus asks the expert
what he thinks the Bible says. Why did Jesus respond in this way? Jesus usually
doesn’t answer people in the way they expect; instead, He understands their
intent and responds accordingly. Jesus already knew what the expert in the law
was really asking. He probably gave the best answer for that situation. In any
case, by asking a question in return, Jesus helped him think more deeply about
his own question and consider what the Bible says about it. His question was
not only an attempt to test Jesus but also a confession of his own state.
Although he was an expert in the law, his heart lacked the joy of eternal life.
Jesus wanted to reveal to him the secret of eternal life.
The expert in the law
knew the Bible well. In verse 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.'” It was not an
interpretation, or his own opinion. He quoted Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus
19:18. He demonstrated a comprehensive and accurate understanding of the Law.
Jesus said, “You have answered correctly, A+.”
Then Jesus touched the
man’s real problem. Let’s read verse 28b. ‘Jesus said, “Do this and you
will live.”’ Jesus says that if the expert lives according to what he
already knows, he will inherit eternal life. Knowing is not enough. The man
needs to do what he knows. According to Jesus, eternal life is not something
far away. It’s about obeying the word of God right now. “Do this, and you
will live.” The man lacked the joy of eternal life not because he didn’t
know more laws, but because he didn’t practice them. So Jesus clearly guided
him: “Practice loving God and loving your neighbors. Then, you will gain
eternal life.” The expert in law had a full of biblical knowledge, but his
heart was empty and his hands and feet were doing nothing. Now, he needs to
open his heart to love and serve those in need. Then, he will taste the joy of
eternal life. It’s not about intellectual debates or theories, but about
genuinely experiencing the joy of eternal life in his day-to-day life.
We all know about the
law of love. Talking and singing about this love is easy, but practicing it is
difficult. Even trying to love just one person can be really hard. I sometimes
see how M. Joseph sr. struggles with Lucas. Sometimes, we need to endure the
pain of complete self-breakdown. Ironically, the real joy of eternal life comes
when we really try to love and pray for just one person. When the sheep we’ve
struggled to help meets Jesus and transform, we experience the heavenly joy
that the world cannot provide. There is great joy when our labor in love bears
fruit. M. Joseph sr. is so blessed because he can taste this joy through the
growth of his grandchildren. The joy of eternal life is realized not just by
knowing the law, but by living it.
The expert in the law
should have humbly repented for his lack of love before Jesus’ words. Instead,
he asked another question: “And who is my neighbor?” The Bible says
he asked this to justify himself. It seems he likely intended to define
‘neighbor’ in a way that suited his needs, probably as a way to rationalize his
own thoughts and actions. To such an arrogant person, we might think Jesus
should challenge him by citing complex laws that he didn’t know. However, Jesus
didn’t engage in a legal debate with this man. Instead, He taught who a true
neighbor is through a simple parable. The story is not difficult at all. It is
the most beautiful story of the good Samaritan. In this way, Jesus appealed
directly to the man’s heart. Let’s listen.
“A man was going
down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They
stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half
dead.” The road from Jerusalem to Jericho was approximately 17 to 20 miles
long. Jerusalem is situated in the mountains, while Jericho is near the Dead
Sea, the lowest point on Earth’s surface that’s not underwater, so the road was
a descent of about 3,300 feet in elevation. It was isolated and had many twists
and turns, making it easy for robbers to hide and attack people. This made the
road very dangerous for anyone traveling on it. Because of these risks, people
tried to be very careful when using this route. So this story was real to the people
listening. The poor victim was left naked and wounded. He must have felt
terribly lonely and sorrowful as he laid on the roadside, left for dead.
Just then, a priest
happened to be going down the same road. But when he saw the man, he quickly
passed by on the other side. Shortly after, a Levite arrived at the same spot.
He too saw the man and hurriedly passed by. They were religious leaders,
undoubtedly ones who emphasized the laws of loving God and neighbor in their
teachings. According to their own teachings, they should have helped the man
who had been attacked by robbers. So why did they just pass by? Perhaps they
might have worried that helping others could bring harm to themselves, or they
could have used their busy schedule as an excuse. They might have also been
concerned about becoming unclean by touching a dead person according to the
law.
Either way, their
actions were different from their teachings.
Look at verses 33-35.
“But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw
him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on
oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and
took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to
the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse
you for any extra expense you may have.'”
The person who had been
attacked was likely a Jew. However, a priest and a Levite, who were also Jewish
and religious leaders, simply passed by the man on the brink of death.
Although, on the surface, they were brothers and neighbors, but to the dying
man, they were merely strangers. In contrast, a Samaritan, who was generally
looked down upon by Jews and considered an enemy, approached with genuine concern.
Feeling pity for the man who was critically injured and on the brink of death,
he didn’t concern himself with the victim’s background or overthink any
societal or religious rules. Upon seeing someone in desperate need, he was
moved by compassion to offer immediate assistance.
First, he disinfected
the wounds with oil and wine, then bandaged them to stop the bleeding. He
provided first aid on the spot, lifted the injured man onto his own animal, and
then transported him to an inn. It’s likely he walked beside the animal, allowing
the injured man to ride. At the inn, he continued to nurse the man back to
health, cleaning his wounds and applying medication. The following day, he
entrusted the innkeeper with money to continue the man’s care, promising to
cover any additional costs upon his return.
It’s amazing how much
someone can do for a stranger. This Samaritan was not bound by any rule to aid
the injured man; he was solely driven by compassion. It shows that real
compassion leads to action. Love isn’t just a feeling; it’s what you do. This
man didn’t just feel sorry; he helped the injured man in many ways, using both
his time and money. Some might see his help as a loss since there’s no promise
of a reward or praise. But he helped just out of compassion, without expecting
anything. This shows what real love is: it’s not just feelings or words, but
actual actions and sacrifices.
Reflecting on this story
makes us think about what love really means. It’s not ignoring someone in need;
it’s about helping them, sharing their pain, and comforting them. Doing this
kind of love is hard; it takes time, effort, and real care. But that’s what
makes it true love. Surprisingly, those who practice this kind of sacrificial
love experience great spiritual joy. It’s like the happiness of making a huge
difference in someone’s life. You can’t really explain it; you have to live it
to understand it. It’s the real magic of love. Last week, during a Bible study,
M Matthew J Kim shared a story about how he helped a colleague at work. Upon
hearing the difficult situation of his coworker’s dying wife, he wholeheartedly
offered help despite his own limited means. Later, he experienced great joy
when that coworker became a Christian, influenced by his actions. He himself
also was recognized as a true Christian in his workplace.
As we go through life,
we encounter unexpected trials that can feel like being attacked by a robber.
These could be the “robbers” of illness, car accidents, unemployment,
or even the problems of our children. Just as a robber suddenly appears to harm
us and take our belongings, these sudden trials can deeply distress us. What’s
even more painful during such times is the realization that many people are
indifferent to our suffering. It hurts deeply when others simply walk by
without offering any help. However, how grateful, and thankful we would feel if
someone was kind to us, helped us, talked with us, and gave us love and
attention?
I can’t express how
grateful I am that we, though small, have formed such a precious community of
love. I’m always moved when I see our coworkers who help others both
emotionally and practically whenever someone is going through a tough time. I
have a special sense of gratitude towards sh. David. When I first started
living in the United States and needed a car for part-time work, he
wholeheartedly fixed my broken car. If I couldn’t afford the parts, he would go
to the junkyard himself to get the necessary components and fix the car as if
it were his own. He was also always the first to come and help whenever
problems happened. The help I have received from him is countless, and I’m sure
I’m not the only one who feels this way. Thank you David. You are my good
neighbor.
Finally, after finishing
the parable, Jesus addresses the expert directly. Look at verse 36. “Which of
these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of
robbers?” It was obvious. ‘The one who had mercy on him’ Then Jesus told him,
‘Go and do likewise” When the man asks who his neighbor is, Jesus asks who proved
to be a neighbor. Instead of asking who our neighbor is, as Jesus suggests, we
should look at what kind of neighbors we are. We need to be like the Good
Samaritan, spending actual time and resources to help those who need our love
and attention right now.
In our surroundings,
there are many campus students who are like those attacked by robbers. On the
surface, they may seem fine, but when we dig deeper and have a conversation,
we’ll find many are dying from numerous wounds and pains. Many have no clear
identity, and no real truth to stand on. They are insecure, anxious and feel
lost. We must not pass by them, but respond to their cry. However, in light of
this story, we should expand our neighborhood. We should be ready to serve
anyone we meet who is in need of God’s grace and compassion. It may be someone
in our workplace, common life, or even a stranger we meet while shopping or
traveling. It includes those of other nations, like Russia, Muslim countries,
North Korea and China. It may also be our literal neighbor. In next door in my
house, there is a widow who lost her husband suddenly few years ago. She was
not able to do much on her own. So whenever she needed help, I went over to her
house to pray with her and provide practical assistance like fixing things
around her home. Through these acts, we were able to form a truly grateful and
loving relationship. Let’s pray to learn the compassion of God, remember Jesus’
grace, and be like good Samaritans in this generation. Let’s “go and do
likewise.”
II. Choose what is better (38-42)
In verses 38-42, we see the scene where Martha and Mary welcome
Jesus into their home. As we well know, they were sisters and lived in the
village of Bethany, near Jerusalem, along with their brother Lazarus. They had
a close relationship with Jesus, and their home served as a refuge for Jesus
and His disciples.
In the passage, Jesus
stops by Bethany on His way to Jerusalem. Hearing this news, Martha opens her
home to Jesus and His disciples, intending to serve them wholeheartedly. She
had been busy since the day before, cleaning the house, shopping, and cooking
to prepare for their arrival. She wanted to create the best atmosphere,
complete with a beautifully set table and good music. She couldn’t get a good
night’s sleep because she was preoccupied with preparing for various things.
However, Jesus and His company arrive earlier than expected. Martha becomes
even more anxious when she realizes that not everything is ready yet. “The
pizza hasn’t arrived,” “I haven’t finished decorating the table with
flowers,” “I forgot to empty the trash while cleaning” – her
mind races with all the things that are yet to be done.
In the midst of this
chaos, Martha realizes that her sister Mary is nowhere to be found. She tries
texting her and calling her repeatedly but gets no answer. Eventually, she
discovers Mary sitting leisurely at the feet of Jesus. “I am struggling over
here, and she is just sitting there having fun!” Then Martha gets really angry.
She even feels a bit hurt that Jesus doesn’t seem to mind that she has stuck
doing all the work by herself. So she goes up to Jesus and says, “Lord,
don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to
help me!”
Actually, many people
can relate to how Martha feels. It’s easy to get frustrated when it seems like
you’re the only one doing all the work while others are just taking it easy.
Especially when the person who’s supposed to be helping you is just off doing
their own thing. This kind of situation often leads to arguments between
couples, too. “Am I the only one looking after the kids?”, “Why
do I always have to be the one to make sacrifices?” At times like these,
it may seem like Jesus should give Mary a hint to go back to work and he himself
quietly move away from her.
However, because Jesus
loved Martha, He addressed her issue with love. Look at verses 41 and 42
together. “41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset
about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has
chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Indeed, we tend
to get worried and angry when we’re busy. If we’re in a hurry and the car ahead
of us is moving too slowly, we get annoyed. If we’re busy in the morning and
our child takes too long to change clothes, it’s easy to get angry. However,
when we’re needlessly preoccupied, we often miss out on what’s most important.
Jesus’ words reminded me of a Korean novel called “One Lucky Day” In
the story, there was a poor man who made a living by pulling a rickshaw. He
went through a tough period where he didn’t make any money for his family for
over ten days. One day, his wife became very sick. Despite her pleas not to go
out to work, he chose to go out to work. Fortunately, he had a lucky day where
he met numerous customers and earned a lot of money. Afterward, to ease his
troubled mind about his ailing wife, he went out to drink with a friend. On his
way back, he bought some beef bone soup for his wife. But when he returned
home, he found that his wife had already passed away. That day was a lucky day
for him; he made a lot of money and even enjoyed some drinks. However, it
turned out to be the most unfortunate day as he lost the person who was most
precious to him.
Likewise, we sometimes
miss what is most important because we’re preoccupied with other things. For
Martha, the most crucial thing was to serve Jesus, whom she loved. However, her
preoccupation with serving led her to be frustrated, even in the presence of
Jesus. Today’s scripture emphasizes that the most important commandments are to
love God and to love our neighbors. But Martha’s busy mindset led her to
criticize God, Jesus, and her closest neighbor—her own sister, Mary. The Bible
doesn’t instruct us to focus solely on doing many things. God values the
sincerity of our hearts along with our actions. Like the lesson in today’s
chapter teaches, God desires our hearts to be full of love and compassion. No
matter how many of God’s works we do, it is useless if there is no love. So 1
Corinthians 13:1 says, “1 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do
not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” On the other
hand, Mary prioritized what was most important. She felt that welcoming Jesus
and listening to His teachings were truly important. So instead of being
distracted by other tasks and neglecting Jesus, she chose to give up on lesser
things and focus solely on Him. Then Jesus said that Mary had chosen the better
part, and that no one could take that away from her.
As I reflect on this
teaching, I feel a sense of repentance. I’ve often been like Martha,
preoccupied with the many tasks. I’m a lot like Martha in many ways. I’m good
at multitasking and taking responsibility for various tasks, which is
definitely a gift from God. However, being busy with all these tasks often
leads me to neglect truly important things like prayer and meditating on God’s
word. I also find myself judging others too quickly when they don’t meet my
standards. When I’m overwhelmed, I sometimes lash out at my children or my wife
who aren’t moving as quickly as I want. As I deeply reflect on today’s
teachings, I realize I need to keep reminding myself what’s truly important.
Even while working, I need to have a clear sense of purpose. What matters most
is whether Jesus is in me. When Jesus is in me, He gives me the strength to
handle everything. Even in hardship, I can experience God’s glory and be filled
with joy and gratitude. When Jesus is in me, I can genuinely love my neighbor.
I pray that I can focus on placing Jesus at the center of my heart even in the
busy life.
Today’s message taught
us what is truly important. We learned that practicing what we know is more
important than just knowing, and doing what is most important is more crucial than
doing many things. I pray that in this week, we may repent and obey based on
today’s message, so we may bear the fruits of the Spirit that pleases God.