Read Luke 10:28-3928And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. 29But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor? 30And 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. 31And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. 33But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 34And 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. 35And 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. 36Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves? 37And he said, He that showed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. 38Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. (Luke 10:28‑39)
"What shall I do to inherit eternal life?" Who would have thought that that question, which so many ask, would have been used to tempt Christ? But it is the language of one "willing to justify himself." What shall I do? No words can more plainly show the ignorance of a fallen sinner. When these words are on a sinner's lips in a self-justifying way, they show that he knows not his fallen, helpless, lost condition.
The Lord knows the pride of the deceived heart.
The religionist can repeat the law, and no doubt thinks he can keep it. "Do it," says Jesus, "and thou shalt live." Then He answers His own heart-searching demand with one of the most striking parables in the Word of God.
This parable of "the good Samaritan" is the answer to man's question, "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?" It describes man's condition—mine and yours, my reader. Fallen among thieves, stripped, wounded, left half dead. What a picture, and how true! Man is not innocent—not happy. He is fallen, guilty, helpless, undone.
Look at the dying man by the roadside; he cannot walk any further, no, not a step. He may not even call for help. Do you not see he is dying? Is this the man to talk about doing? Ah, poor, dying man! The law cannot help him! The priest and the Levite, who minister in the ceremonies of the law, have to pass him by; they cannot help him.
Lost soul, in the words of the prophet of old, "thou art the man"! This is your spiritual state. The law cannot help you; religious observances cannot help you. Neither can your own efforts, resolutions, struggles. There is only One whose aid can avail.
"A certain Samaritan... came where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, 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." Luke 10:33, 3433But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 34And 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. (Luke 10:33‑34).
This is Jesus, the Son of the living God, who in infinite love pitied fallen, naked, dying man, and came to earth to save him.
Yes, this is the glory of the gospel. God, full of tender compassion, rich in mercies, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, SENT His beloved Son to helpless man, laid by the roadside, fallen in sin and misery. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." Eph. 2:8, 98For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8‑9).
Man could do nothing; Jesus came to him where he was. What a journey of love! He came from heaven's glory to Calvary's cross for the sinner. Christ has suffered for sin. The work is finished. "For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God." 1 Peter 3:1818For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: (1 Peter 3:18).
My reader, do you thus know Jesus? Are you still asking: "What shall I DO?”
Have you been brought to know your utterly lost condition by the wayside? Has Jesus come to you, bound up your broken heart, poured in oil and wine? Has God revealed to you Jesus, taking upon the cross your place as a sinner, and now giving you His place in spotless purity forever? Do you know His loving care and daily mercies which He has promised His own until He comes again?
Dear one, if you know and believe the love of God in thus sending Jesus to save you, you have eternal life. It is the GIFT OF GOD.