What are you telling me person? Someone gave Jesus a test?
Did He pass with flying colors, or did He just get a B or a C?
I’ll listen, but first I want to know what grade Jesus got?
***
An expert in the law stood up to test Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Jesus asked the man what is written in the Law and the man 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.”
***
Wait a minute. Who did you say was giving the test?
I’m listening.
***
Then the man asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
***
If I’m his neighbor then he has to give me loves – and treats.
***
Jesus replied by telling a story.
***
I thought this already was a story.
***
Jesus said, “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.”
***
Can you hold the story, person? I’ve got to go after those robbers and give them what for.
Okay, I’ll listen.
***
“A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.”
***
Did anybody tell those people that they’re walking on the wrong side of the road? Somebody might come and run them over.
***
“But a Samaritan, as he travelled, came to where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.”
***
Weren’t the Samaritans those people that everybody hated?
Yeah, I thought so.
***
“The Samaritan went to the man and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine.”
***
I could have licked that man’s wounds. I bet that would have felt better than the wine.
Yes, I’m listening.
***
“Then the Samaritan put the man on his 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.’”
Then Jesus asked, “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
***
I don’t think I’m ever going to give Jesus a test. He didn’t even take it – but he sure gave that other guy a test.
***
The expert in the law replied to Jesus, “The one who had mercy on him was the neighbor.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
***
Can I go now? I’ve still got to give those robbers what for.
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