Looking For A Loophole

The religion scholar had just done a fantastic job of summarizing all the commandments – “Love God with everything you have, everything you are… and love your neighbor as well as you do yourself.”

Jesus gave his summary an enthusiastic two thumbs up.

But the religion scholar started to feel trapped. It was a great summary of the law, but did he really want to be held to that standard?

“Looking for a loophole, he asked, And just how would you define neighbor?” (Luke 10.29 MSG)

Jesus, in typical Jesus-fashion, tells a story. It’s a pretty famous story too – it’s where the term “Good Samaritan” came from.

After his story-telling, Jesus asks the religion scholar, “Which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?”

The religion scholar replied, “The one who showed him mercy.”

Remember how he was looking for a loophole?

Well, he didn’t get one.

There are no loopholes in God’s demand for us to extend mercy and grace to others.

No exception clauses. No excuses. No loopholes.

“You Pharisees manage to find loopholes for getting around the basic matters of justice and God’s love. Careful bookkeeping is commendable, but the basics are required.” (Luke 11.42 MSG)

“God is all mercy and grace.” (Psalm 145.8 MSG)

“I want you to show mercy.” (Matthew 9.13 NLT)