The More Things Change...

Today, I am reflecting on Luke 10:25-37. This is the Great Command and the Parable of the Good Samaritan. In this passage, a scholar of the law approaches Jesus and asks Him how to get to heaven. What is heaven and why has/is it the desire of the human heart for thousands of years? Heaven is eternal life with God, who is Love. Heaven is perfect happiness and peace. If I rephrase the question with this understanding, it becomes, "Lord, what must I do to experience perfect happiness and peace?" Isn't that what we all desire. Jesus doesn't give him the answer, instead the scholar is asked how he reads the law. His answer is the Great Command: Love God and Love Others.

It is that simple and difficult, at the same time. The scholar of the law knew the answer all along, but still asks. The reason for the question seems to be in the Parable of the Good Samaritan. The parable begins, "but because he wished to justify himself, he said, "who is my neighbor?" We justify bad behaviors. I justify to a cop why I was speeding. I justify to my boss why I was late for work. The expectations are set. I know them. So when I do what I want instead of what I know I should...I justify. The scholar of the law hints at what part of the Great Command he struggles with. "And who is my neighbor?"

He knows he is supposed to love others as himself, but he is not. Why? I don't know for sure, but I believe the Parable of the Good Samaritan gives a clue. Often times, we are told to be the Good Samaritan. That's not bad, but I believe it is out of order. In order to be the Good Samaritan, I have to first realize that I am the victim. The victim was beaten by robbers and left for dead on the side of the road. He wants the hospital, but can't get himself there. He needs a Savior.

If I look at the original question, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?", I realize that what I desire (heaven), I can't achieve on my own. I am a broken, wounded sinner who needs a Savior. This is why love of God comes first. I first must recognize my own need for a Savior in order for the desire of my heart to be met. Like St. Augustine says, "You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee."

If I am like the scholar of the law and struggling to love others, maybe I need to check my relationship with God first. I can't give what I don't have. God is love (1 John 4:8), so in order to love others properly, I need to be in good and right relationship with Love Himself. Today, Lord, help me to rest in You so I can better be Your hands and feet.