我们今天所读的经文，引发耶稣讲出一个最广为人知的比喻──「好撒玛利亚人」的比喻。事实上，「好撒玛利亚人」已成了一个常见的名称，许多医院、护理院，或是志愿服务团体，多以它命名。

然而，我们却经常忽略一个要点，就是耶稣之所以讲出这个比喻，是为了回答一个律法师的提问。福音书经常记载有人前来询问耶稣，有人数过共有多少个问题吗？他们提出各式各样的问题，有些是真心求问，有些却是想试探耶稣。今天的情况也是一样。当你与人谈论耶稣基督的时候，就会同样发现这两类人。

这位律法师当然很熟悉旧约的律法，这是他的「专业」。然而，他只有头脑上的知识，而非真正认识神的心意。他来到耶稣面前，开始了这个问答游戏。

「先生，我该做甚么才能承受永生呢？」

也许，他早已在脑海中部署了对答的方案。可是，耶稣却没有直接回答他的问题，反而反客为主地问他：「律法上是怎样写的？」

这个问题令他吓了一跳。「你竟然拿这个问题来问我？你不知道我是这方面的专家吗？你问我这个问题，简直就是把我当学生。」于是，他回答了耶稣的问题，而且把律法的要求概括得很清楚（27节）。

基督回答说：「说得好！你只需把你所说的行出来便行了。」

然而，那人却要挽回面子，因为游戏没有依照他的想法来进行。他可能在心中盘算：「我该如何脱身呢？对了，我可以问他『邻舍』是代表甚么。」于是他便问道：「先生，我们犹太人认为只有犹太人才是邻舍。你的看法如何呢？」

耶稣的答案非常精彩，结果还引出另一个反问（36节）。我们明天继续看下去。

Our verses today are the lead-up to what may be the most well known of Christ's many illustrations. The words 'Good Samaritan' have become part of our common vocabulary. Are there more hospitals, nursing homes, care groups known by that name than any other?

Yet we often overlook the man whose questions prompted the story. Has anyone ever counted all the questions Jesus was asked? There were all kinds, both sincere and insincere. It is still the same. Speak to people about Jesus Christ and you will find this true.

This man knew the Old Testament law. That was his occupation. He knew it in his head, not in his heart. He made the first move in a game of questions and answers.

'Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?'.

Perhaps he had worked out his strategy beforehand. But the man he was facing didn't make orthodox moves. He sprang surprises. 'What is written in the law?'

That surprised him, 'Are you asking me, an expert in the law, what it says? You've answered me as if I were a schoolboy.' He did however summarise the law well (v.27).

Christ said, 'Good! All you need do now is to obey what you have said'.

But the questioner had to save face. The game wasn't going the way he'd planned. 'How can I get out of this? I know, I'll ask him what does "neighbour" mean? We Jews say only a Jew can be considered our neighbour. What do you say to that Teacher?'

The answer was fantastic and led the way to the final question Christ asked (v.36). We'll look at it tomorrow.