When commending the lawyer for giving the right answer, Jesus said, “Do this and you will live” (Luke 10:28), and thus, He touched the very core in the man’s heart. Giving all the right answers was easy for the lawyer, but doing those things was an issue 2,000 years ago—and it is still an issue for many of us today. The lawyer wanted to trap Jesus and show off his knowledge. He asked a follow-up question; “Who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29).

 Read Luke 10:30-37. How would you summarize Jesus’ meaning in the story here?

 Are there people around us who have been unjustly treated by others? Have we done whatever we can to help them?

 It is true that sometimes pastors, elders, and members do not help those who need help. Sometimes people of another faith may be kinder toward people in the community than we are. We may talk about being kind; yet, others may meet the needs of people that we don’t address. If our faith means anything, we must reach out and help those in need.

 Jesus concluded the story of the good Samaritan by asking who among the three was truly a neighbor to the person who needed help.

 “Thus the question, ‘Who is my neighbor?’ is forever answered. Christ has shown that our neighbor does not mean merely one of the church or faith to which we belong. It has no reference to race, color, or class distinction. Our neighbor is every person who needs our help. Our neighbor is every soul who is wounded and bruised by the adversary. Our neighbor is everyone who is the property of God.”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages,p. 503.