My goodness, this letter to the Galatians jumps right into the issue. Apparently, the Galatians have not been too faithful to the Gospel and have allowed themselves to be influenced by other teachings.
Paul said that he is in utter amazement that they (the Galatians) are forsaking the Gospel of Jesus Christ for another gospel (and he also quickly adds, “not that there is another” Gospel — because there is not!) Paul even puts it in the strongest language when he tells them that they have been perverted by these falsities. We can expect a rough road ahead in this blunt letter to the Galatians.
+Jesus is confronted, as often happened, by an expert in the law. He asked of Jesus what he had to do to “inherit everlasting life.”
Jesus turned the question right back at the scholar, bluntly asking him —
“What is written in the law?”
The man spoke correctly —
“Love God and neighbor and self!”
And Jesus told him he was correct. So now, do it!
Then an interesting turn: The man asked, “Who is my neighbor?”
This seems to be a question about minimalism. Would it be everybody? Would it be my people? Would it be people who live in a certain vicinity near me? Would it be my friends? Just who?
And Jesus tells this awesomely powerful story about someone attacked, robbed, beaten, and left to die. Who helps this victim? His people? A friend? Someone who lived next door? A priest? An assistant in temple worship services? Yikes! None of the above. Rather, a stranger. And why? Because this stranger felt compassion for a human being who was hurting, and he acted out of that compassion and showed love. And Jesus noted the compassionate, loving man was a neighbor because he was compassionate and loving; therefore, anyone can be neighbour to anyone if they take seriously that command that promises life.
