How Readest Thou?

And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto 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 neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 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. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour 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. Luke 10:25-37 (KJV) emphasis mine

A certain lawyer tempted Jesus about what to do to inherit eternal life. Jesus asked him, “What is written in the law? how readest thou?” The man answered to love God and love others. Jesus told him that he answered correctly and that he should go and do so in order to live.

This is where things get interesting. The man was not in earnest about his questions. He was trying to trap Jesus. He was baiting Him. Now, he tried to justify himself, to make himself appear righteous, by asking, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus answered by telling him the story of the good Samaritan, to show him that our neighbor is anyone we see in need. We are to go and meet that person’s need.

Important Reminders About Reading The Word:

• We must approach God’s Word with a right heart when we study it. This man was a lawyer, one who studied the law of God. Sadly, we see that his approach was to justify himself rather than to seek truth.

• We must know what is written but we must also read it correctly. We are to read the Word with the purpose of knowing the Word through the Holy Spirit, not with religious eyes. If we do not read it this way, we will miss what God is saying. This lawyer was an expert in the law, but missed the lessons within it.

• We are to read the Word to receive God’s life, insight, perspective, and compassion. We must learn and live God’s Word. It isn’t enough to know the Word, but we must also put it into practice.

• When questions arise, being in the Word will enable us to answer correctly or to be able to find the right answers.

• Don’t tempt God or try to justify yourself with God. Let God declare that you are right with Him. Handle and do God’s Word correctly. It will affect you and others.

We must know God’s Word and what it is really saying. Know how and why you study God’s Word, which is to know God Himself. Finally, do what it says, and you’ll find your life in Him.