I believe personally that one of the most difficult things the disciples of Christ will ever be called upon to do in this life is to learn to love, as this story from Luke 10 seems to illustrate.

One day a lawyer stood, and in putting a question to Jesus, attempted to put the Master to the test.

“…Master,” he said, “what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 10:25)

“…What is written in the law,” Jesus said, “how readest thou?” (Luke 10:26)

The lawyer quoted the scriptures magnificently. “…Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.” (Luke 10:27)

The Savior then said, “…Thou hast answered right: this do and thou shalt live.” (Luke 10:28)

Love then is the very key – it seems – to eternal life. Its importance cannot be overstated. Those who will not love cannot be saved.

The Jews believed that only other Jews, however, were neighbors. All others could be justifiably hated. Therefore, this lawyer in order not to appear a fool in front of the crowd then followed up with this question: “…And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29)

The parable that followed is called the parable of the Good Samaritan.

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A man happened to have a terrible misfortune on the road, and by chance a Priest and a Levite both came upon him in his unfortunate circumstances. Now, God had nothing to do with this occurrence; it just happened. Evil people do terrible things sometimes.

Furthermore, God didn’t send the Priest and the Levite down that road. That happened, according to the parable, “…by chance…” (Luke 10:31) They passed the wounded man on the other side of the road pretending not to see him. When the Samaritan came down the road, and he saw the stricken man, he had compassion and went to him. The message: Love does not ignore a need. It is mercy, compassion, and action.

And you remember the story: The Samaritan loaded the man on his own beast, thus making himself walk, and brought the wounded man to an inn and “…took care of him.” (Luke 10:34) Love serves and sacrifices. It gives of itself. Not once in this story, or ever in the Lord’s teachings about love, does He define the word by what we say. He defines love by what we do!

“If ye love me,” – [He] doesn’t say ‘tell me,’ – He says, “keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)

Well, the next day, the parable continuing: As the Samaritan prepared to go on with his journey, he charged the innkeeper, “…Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.” (Luke 10:35) Like that Samaritan, life may require us to move on after we see a need, but our love can always remain.

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When Jesus concluded the parable, He asked the Lawyer, “Which now of these three thinkest thou was neighbor unto him that fell among [the] thieves? [- the priest, the Levite, or the Samaritan?]” (Luke 10:36)

The lawyer answered and said, “…He that shewed mercy on him.” (Luke 10:37)

The Master’s reply said it all, “…Go, and do thou likewise.” (Luke 10:37)

I find it interesting that the lawyer wanted to know who was his neighbor, and was taught instead how to be a neighbor. Every man we chance to encounter is our neighbor, and an opportunity to draw closer to Heaven. We love them, not by what we say, but by what we do. And by helping them, we save ourselves. Love is not a mortal nicety, my friend; it is an eternal necessity.