According to Jesus, we can try to love God with all our hearts and we can try to love our neighbor as ourselves; but unless a miracle takes place, we will find ourselves lacking. Nicodemus concluded that Jesus had to be a man of God, but when he approached the Rabbi at night to ask a few questions, he was confused. Nicodemus was a leader in the community, a scholar of the Scriptures, a descendant of Abraham… but being “born again” made no sense.
“I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again… I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.” (John 3:3-6)
Another expert in the law once questioned Jesus about eternal life. The Lord asked him what the Law said, and the man answered correctly by giving the top two commandments: “Love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself.” “Good,” Jesus replied,”do this and you will live.” God’s purpose of the Law is for us to come face to face with the truth that we don’t “do this.” But so often, when we see our shortcomings, we try to justify ourselves. This is what the lawyer did.
“But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’” The parable of the good Samaritan that followed expanded all definitions of ‘neighbor,’ but also pointed to our hope.
We are the beaten and wounded traveler. The lawyer was; Nicodemus was; you are; I am. We are beaten down by life, we are unable to save ourselves, and we are in desperate need. A priest comes by, but religion will not solve our problem. A Levite comes by, but the Law is not adequate to save. Then a humble Man from a distant place approaches on his donkey. Though most of the world despises him, He kindly bandages our wounds, “pouring on oil and wine.” He takes the rescued man to an inn and gives the innkeeper money with a promise to return. (See Luke 10:25-37)
The Good Neighbor is our Savior. He offers the oil of his Spirit and the wine of his Blood. He washes us in pure water and gives us eyes to see. We just need to realize we need him and humbly ask for help.
“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Of if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11:11-13