July 14, 1909

“Thou Shalt Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself”

Questioning Christ

EGW

A certain lawyer came to Christ with the question, “Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” The Saviour answered him, “What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, 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.” Jesus said, “Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.”ST July 14, 1909, par. 1

But the lawyer, willing to justify himself, asked, “Who is my neighbor?” Then the Saviour related the story of a certain Jew, robbed and beaten and helpless, and left by the roadside to die. Having pictured before His hearers the wounded man's helpless condition, and his need of sympathy and help, the Saviour continued, “And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.”ST July 14, 1909, par. 2

The parable ended, the Saviour laid upon the lawyer the burden of answering his own question. “Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.”ST July 14, 1909, par. 3

The lawyer had thought to find something in the answer of Christ by which to accuse Him. The priests and rulers also were listening for some word by which they could bring a charge against Him. But Jesus read their hearts, and formed His answer in such a way that the purposes of His enemies were defeated.ST July 14, 1909, par. 4

Removing Perplexities

Much of Christ's time was spent in explaining misunderstandings and in seeking to clear away difficulties by which Satan was perplexing minds. The answers He gave to the questions that were brought to Him were of more value than silver or gold to those who desired to know the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He clothed His lessons of truth with freshness and a power that could not fail to bring conviction to hearts. Truth had been perverted and mingled with tradition and superstition, until its original purity was almost lost to men. The teachings of Christ swept away the false interpretations. By simple illustrations He showed the value of human kindness, of sympathy and love, teaching that these were necessary to the fulfilment of the law of God. Every effort made by priests and rulers to mystify, the Saviour met with clear and decided explanation of what true righteousness meant. And His lessons were immortalized in the minds of those who had ears to hear, and hearts to understand.ST July 14, 1909, par. 5

Lesson of the Parable

By the parable of the good Samaritan the Saviour teaches that we are to seek to do good to all men, not only to those who are of the household of faith, but to all who need sympathy and help. The instruction given to the lawyer contains lessons for His people in every age. Let those who would be sure of the mercy and love of God extended to themselves, follow the command of the Saviour, “Go, and do thou likewise,” Our religion is to make itself known in deeds of mercy. When the spirit of unselfish labor for others characterizes our lives, there will be seen the outworking of the love of God that will result in the conversion of heart and the transformation of life and character.ST July 14, 1909, par. 6

The work of Christ in the world was to reveal the Father. Man must be given a knowledge of God through a revelation of the character of His Son. By coming to earth and taking the nature of man, the Saviour bridged the gulf between heaven and earth, and made it possible for man to understand the character of God and to understand His purpose for mankind. As the Prince of peace, Christ would reconcile man to God and make him understand the relation that existed between him and the Father. Thus He united man with God and with his fellow man, teaching him to see in the poor and the oppressed and suffering the purchase of the blood of Christ, and to value them as the property of God. He taught lessons which, if truly learned, would righten every wrong between man and his fellow man.ST July 14, 1909, par. 7

Helping Others

“Is not this the fast that I have chosen,” the Lord through His prophet declares, “to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?” And note the inspired promise to those who do all in their power to relieve distress: “Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward.”ST July 14, 1909, par. 8

As Christians, we are to have a righteousness that represents the character of Christ. We are to feel for our fellow men the same sympathy and compassion that Christ has felt for us. His sympathy, His love, led Him to redeem us at the cost of his lifeblood. If we would carry out the great principles that He laid down for His followers, we must love our neighbor as ourselves.ST July 14, 1909, par. 9

Christ Identified with the Suffering

If the love of God is in the heart, it will surely be revealed in tender love for others. The Lord is honored by our acts of mercy, by the exercise of thoughtful consideration for the unfortunate and distressed. The widow and the fatherless need more than our charity. They need sympathy and watchcare, compassionate words, and a helping hand to place them where they can help themselves. All deeds done for those who need help are done to Christ. In our study to know how to help the unfortunate, we should study the way in which Christ worked. He did not refuse to work for those who made mistakes; His works of mercy were performed for every class, the righteous and the unrighteous. For all alike He healed disease and gave lessons of instruction.ST July 14, 1909, par. 10

Those who represent Christ in deeds of kindness and mercy will never know until the day of Judgment what good they have done in seeking to follow the example of the Saviour. In heaven a book is written for those who interest themselves in the needs of their fellow beings, a book whose record will be revealed in that day when every man will be judged according to the deeds written therein. Then God will repay every act of mercy done to the poor. Those who have regarded the needs of the unfortunate and have had compassion on the needy will hear from His gracious lips the words, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.” “Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”ST July 14, 1909, par. 11