25-26 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” 27-28 And he answered, “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 neighbour as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” 29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbour?” 

30-35 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead.  Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a  Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion.  He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii  and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbour to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” 37 And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.” Luke 10:23-37 English Standard Version

This story of 'the good Samaritan' which Jesus told is probably one of the most well known and well loved things He said. Even people who aren't Christians appreciate the challenging truth it presents. But there is a danger in it too if we look at what prompted Jesus to tell this story. What was the lawyers question about? (vs 25-26)

It was about inheriting the eternal life which even the Old Testament had spoken about. And from the lawyers reply to Jesus – and the Lord's confirmation of what the lawyer said – what is it that is required of men and women to inherit eternal life? (vs 27-28)

Those words suggest that anyone who loves God wholeheartedly with all of their being, and who cares for fellow human beings as much as they care for them self, will receive God's approval and blessing. An Old Testament prophet expressed something similar when he said: “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8) So this lawyer obviously 'knew his bible' well. But here's where the danger comes in, and why Jesus told the story. What does Luke say the lawyer seeking to do? (vs 29)

To 'justify oneself' means quite a few things. It can mean to prove I'm correct in my view on anything ,or show that I'm innocent and clear myself of any blame. But it can also be a way of 'blowing my own trumpet' – telling others how good I am. But perhaps a feeling of guilt had begun to creep into the lawyers mind that prompted the question about his neighbour. It led to the story Jesus told of how a foreigner (who a man like this lawyer would’ve despised) had gone well over and above the call of duty to help a stranger desperately in need. The Samaritan's compassion and the care he showed are deeply touching. The story led up to the question Jesus put to the lawyer, which the lawyer answered correctly. (vs 36).

I suggest the danger we can be in, which Jesus' story highlights, is that our love for God and our fellow man falls well short of what it means to love God with ALL our heart, soul, strength and mind – and our neighbours as ourselves. It's the DOING of those things, rather than just knowing what to do, that God looks for. And that's why we need a saviour who can forgive our sinful failures. The apostle John put it this way: “We know what love is - because Christ gave His life for us. We should give our lives for our brothers. What if a person has enough money to live on and sees his brother in need of food and clothing? If he does not help him, how can the love of God be in him? My children, let us not love with words or in talk only. Let us love by what we do and in truth.” (1 John 3:16-18)