From Prejudice to Prosocial: How One Story Opens Hearts to Humanity
Q. “Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life”?
This seeker was grappling with existential questions that all thoughtful souls ponder – What is the true purpose and meaning of life? How can I ensure my well-being not only in this fleeting mortal existence, but in the eternal sense as well?
Jesus saw beyond the surface of the question to the deeper longing within – the desire to overcome the fear of death and finitude that plagues human minds. His response was beautifully aimed at awakening the inquirer to shift their focus from formal rules and rituals, to developing sincere love, compassion and service which are the hallmarks of a spiritual life.
Q. By asking “What is written in the law?”
Jesus nudged the man to contemplate the essence of his own faith and its timeless teachings. Loving God with all your being, and loving your neighbor as yourself – these are the inviolable instructions for inheriting eternal life. One does not achieve immortality through intellectual assent or physical acts alone, but by thoroughly embracing virtue and dharmic duty in one’s thoughts, words and deeds.
That is the profound wisdom we can draw from their exchange – that eternal life is a state of divine unity, of eternal truth, achieved during the fleeting moments we have, by how we live and relate with empathy, gratitude, forgiveness and justice for all.
When Jesus asked the man “What is written in the law?” he was wisely prompting him to contemplate the eternal truths expressed in the scriptures, and not get caught up in superficial interpretations or cultural accretions.
The man responded correctly, citing that the law commands loving God with one’s whole being, and loving one’s neighbor as oneself. This captures the very essence of spiritual practice – cultivating compassion, empathy and service to others through our thoughts, words and deeds.
By affirming the man’s answer as correct, Jesus was pointing him inward to reflect on how well he had integrated these teachings into his own life and way of being in the world. Outward piety is easy, but truly obeying these commands with every fiber of one’s existence is the far greater challenge, and birthright, of every spiritual seeker.
It is as true today as when Jesus spoke – inheriting eternal life emerges from dwelling in love, not just intellectually acknowledging truths with hollow words. May we all probe more deeply how committed we are to uplifting all beings with mercy, respect, kindness and justice in every moment. For that is the surest path to divine connection, both in this life and beyond.
Q. “How readest thou?“
You make an insightful point. Jesus’ question prompts deeper contemplation as to why he asked “What is written in the law?” Part of the wisdom is that scriptures can indeed be perceived and interpreted differently by each person and culture.
By asking the man how he personally understands what is written, Jesus encouraged him to look within at his own truth, rather than rely on external authorities or orthodox readings. This gets to the heart of true spirituality – discovering for oneself the eternal principles through one’s own inquiry, reason and experience.
Jesus seemed to know individuals must walk their own path of understanding. By stirring the man to articulate his own perspective using the phrase “how readest thou?”, he nurtured independent, interiorized thinking. True wisdom is not parroted beliefs, but arises from each soul’s direct cognition of dharma through self-reflection.
This exchange shows that while ancient texts offer guidance, the final authority is one’s own conscience and intuitive revelations of divinity. Jesus respected each person’s freedom and capacity for spiritual realization. His teaching method highlights that no external guru has a monopoly on truth – it can be uncovered through open and honest examination of one’s heart.
When the man answered Jesus’ question correctly by citing the two great commandments of loving God and neighbor, one would think he had satisfied the inquiry.
However, Jesus, in his infinite wisdom, saw that a deeper lesson remained. Simply knowing the teachings intellectually is not enough – one must live them authentically through compassionate action.
Q, “And who is my neighbour”?
It was also perceptive of Jesus to sense that the man, and others, may have held narrow interpretations of “neighbor” that excluded certain groups. So he asked “who is my neighbor?” to provoke examination of unconscious biases.
By following with a parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus brilliantly illustrated that our neighbour includes every human being, regardless of race, religion or social standing. True spirituality demolishes man-made barriers and recognizes the divine essence in all.
His additional questioning was a blessing to the man and us, inviting reflection on how well we actualize the virtuous principles in our daily interactions with others near and far. Do we recognize our innate connectedness? This challenges us to keep growing in empathy, non-discrimination and service to all living beings.
Your question provides further insight into Jesus’ parable and its radical message, especially for the Jewish listener at that time.
By using a Priest, Levite and Samaritan, Jesus subverted expectations. As religious figures, one would expect the Priest or Levite to help their fellow Jew first.
But a Samaritan, of the reviled cultural “other”, was the unlikely hero who transcended divisions to see the injured man’s shared humanity. This challenged common prejudices.
Jesus seems to say that true faith is expressed not through ritual or ethnicity alone, but through how we live with compassion across perceived differences. Loving one’s neighbor, for a pious Jew, included those denominations or race.
This stirred reflection on how even they, God’s chosen, treated outsiders and sinners. It pushed beyond tribalism to recognize the divine in all people needing mercy.
Rather than reassure the listener of their status, Jesus nudged toward expanding notions of righteousness through empathy-driven solidarity with any suffering souls.
Spirituality is tested less by creeds than by how, with humility, we bridge perceived chasms and uphold dignity for every person. This was a profound shift in understanding what faith and salvation really entail.
Through this parable, Jesus shared the highest teaching – that love cuts across humanly constructed divisions, embracing all beings as our “neighbours” deserving respect. His was a message of radical inclusion and compassionate bridge-building.
25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.