February 2, 2026
Scripture – “On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 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.’” “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?” “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.””
Luke 10:25-29, 36-37 NIV
Observation – This is the beginning and the end of the story of the Good Samaritan. An expert in the law ask Jesus how he can inherit eternal life (which is going to heaven). Jesus doesn’t answer the question but asks him, “What is written in the Law?”. The man answers to love God with all your heart and to love people. Jesus says that is right and the man asks, “who is my neighbor?” Then Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan.
Application – This story is often cited to try and prove that taking care of hurting people is the highest calling in this world and the way to please God. Obviously taking care of the poor and hurting is critical to God (see Matthew 25:31-46) but so is loving God with all your heart and with all your soul with all your strength and with all your mind. It has to start with a heart for God. God’s desire for every person on earth is to have a relationship with them. We can’t please God if we reject him and go do good deeds. Salvation cannot be earned, it is a gift from God.
Prayer – Lord God, I pray for those who love people and haven’t experienced knowing you yet, I pray you open their hearts and they respond to your call on their lives. Amen.
What are you doing? Do it better 