One day “a lawyer” tried to test Jesus. He asked a trick question, trying to trip Jesus up. This lawyer was not a lawyer in the way we talk about lawyers. He was an expert in the law of Moses. The lawyer asked, “What do I have to do to live forever?” (see Luke 10:25). This is a good question—a question everyone should ask, because everyone will one day die. Some people might have asked that important question because they wanted an answer. However, the Bible tells us that this man asked it to test Jesus, hoping it would show that Jesus didn’t know the law as well as the lawyer did.

But Jesus (who was far wiser than this lawyer) answered his question with another question, “How does the Bible answer your question?” (see 10:26). The man replied, “You shall 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 your neighbor as yourself” (10:27). “That’s right,” said Jesus. “If you perfectly love God and love your neighbor you will live forever.” Ah, Jesus was now testing him! Do you think this lawyer could perfectly love God and his neighbor? Of course not. Only God loves like that. At this point the lawyer decided to ask Jesus a follow-up question, “And who is my neighbor?” (10:29). He wanted Jesus to answer the question how he himself would answer it. “My neighbors,” the man thought, “are people like me and people I like.” Then Jesus shared this shocking story to correct him and show him that our neighbors include anyone in need. He told this Jewish religious leader the parable of the good Samaritan.

A man was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way, some robbers beat him up, stole all he had, and left him on the road to die. Soon after, a priest saw him. But instead of helping, he walked right by him. Then, a Levite passed by, and did the same thing. Finally, a Samaritan saw him. And do you know what he did? Even though Samaritans and Jews didn’t like each other, this Samaritan had compassion on this helpless man. He poured oil and wine on his wounds (to clean them), wrapped him in his own clothing, and brought him to an inn. The next day, the Samaritan gave the innkeeper money and said, “Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back” (10:35).

After the parable, Jesus asked, “Which man loved his neighbor?” The answer was obvious. “The one who showed him mercy” (10:37), the lawyer admitted. “Right,” Jesus said, “Now go and do the same.”