25. One day an expert in religious law tried to trap Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "tell me what I have to do to live in God's way?"
"You are supposed to be the expert," said Jesus. "what do you think you should do?"
27. The lawyer thought and then said: "`I think you should Love God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind' and, `Love your neighbour as yourself.'"
28. "Absolutely right," Jesus replied. "If you do that, you will be really living."
29. But, wanting to justify asking the question, he asked Jesus, "OK then, but who is my neighbour?"
30. So Jesus told them this story:
"Once upon a time there was this man walking from Jerusalem to Jericho who was jumped on by muggers. They beat him up, took his clothes, and left him half dead. After a bit, a priest came along, and when he saw the victim lying there, went right over to the other side of the road to avoid getting involved. A bit later came an academic; he took a quick look and then he too hurried past.
33. But a foreigner, when he arrived at the scene, felt sorry for him. He went over and gave him first aid. Then he helped the man up, took him to an inn and continued to look after him. Next morning he went to the owner, gave him some money and said. `Please look after him for me, and when I get back, you can charge me for anything else you spend on him.' "
36. "Which of the three do you think acted like a neighbour to the victim of the mugging?"
37. The law expert answered, "I suppose it was the person who looked after him."
Jesus said, "So why don't you behave in the same way?"
Author: Geoff Tomlinson