The question "Who is my neighbor?" comes from Luke 10:25-37, where a lawyer asks Jesus this exact question. In response, Jesus tells the Parable of the Good Samaritan, in which a man is beaten and left for dead. A priest and a Levite pass by without helping, but a Samaritan—someone from a group despised by the Jews—stops, cares for the man, and provides for his recovery.

Who Is My Neighbor?

Jesus' parable teaches that our neighbor is not just the person who lives near us, shares our background, or belongs to our social circle. Instead, our neighbor is anyone in need, regardless of race, status, or difference. The Samaritan did not let social divisions or personal inconvenience stop him from showing mercy.

Who Is Your Neighbor?

Your neighbor includes:

• The person in crisis who needs help.
• The outcast or marginalized individual in your community.
• The person with whom you may have cultural, political, or personal differences.
• Even those considered "enemies" by society.

How Should Following Christ Make Us Like the Good Samaritan?

1. Crossing Boundaries – Just as the Samaritan disregarded racial and religious divisions, we must break through barriers of prejudice, class, and comfort zones.
2. Active Compassion – Love is not just words but actions. Helping others, even when inconvenient, reflects Christ’s love.
3. Self-Sacrifice – The Samaritan gave his time, resources, and energy. Following Christ means being willing to give up our own comfort for the sake of others.
4. Seeing with Christ’s Eyes – The priest and Levite ignored the suffering man, but the Samaritan saw a human being in need. We must cultivate a heart that notices and responds to suffering.
5. Loving Beyond Convenience – True love is costly. It means going beyond good intentions to practical, ongoing involvement in others' lives.

Practical Ways to Be Like the Good Samaritan

• Helping the Poor and Homeless – Volunteering at shelters, donating, or offering direct assistance.
• Standing Against Injustice – Advocating for those who are oppressed.
• Serving Those Society Overlooks – Befriending immigrants, the disabled, or the elderly.
• Showing Kindness in Daily Life – Helping a struggling neighbor, listening to someone in pain, or simply being present for those in need.

Jesus ends the parable by telling the lawyer, “Go and do likewise” (Luke 10:37). Being a neighbor is not just about knowing the right answer—it’s about doing mercy in everyday life.

More: Sabbath School Lesson 12: The Two Greatest Commandments

> Next Quarter: Allusions, Images, Symbols: How to Study Bible Prophecy: Sabbath School 2nd Quarter 2025

Sabbath School Lesson 13: Love Is the Fulfillment of the Law

 

God's Love and Justice

Sabbath School Lesson 13

Love Is the Fulfillment of the Law

You may use this for presenting and studying the current Sabbath School Lesson.

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> Download the notes for Lesson 13 video here.

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“Go and Do Likewise” - Parable of the Good Samaritan

 

Scripture Reading: Luke 10:25–37

Brothers and sisters in Christ, the parable of the Good Samaritan is one of Jesus’ most well-known teachings, but its radical challenge is often overlooked. This parable was not just a call to kindness but a bold confrontation of injustice, prejudice, and the failure of religious and social systems to uphold mercy.

When the lawyer asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” he was trying to define the limits of his responsibility. Jesus answered with a story that shattered those limits. A man is beaten and left for dead on the road. A priest and a Levite—both religious men—pass by without helping. Then comes the Samaritan, the last person anyone would expect to show compassion. Samaritans were despised by the Jews, yet it was this outsider who embodied the mercy of God.

The cry of the prophets throughout Scripture echoes in this story. Micah 6:8 reminds us: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” The prophets condemned religious rituals that lacked justice and acts of worship that ignored the suffering of the oppressed. The Good Samaritan does exactly what the prophets called for—he acts justly, loves mercy, and moves humbly in the presence of God.

Throughout history, we have seen entire societies create systems that dehumanize and exclude others. Slavery, colonization, racial segregation, and economic exploitation have been justified by those in power while the wounded lay in the streets, ignored by those who should have helped. Even today, the suffering of refugees, the poor, and the marginalized is often met with silence or indifference. But Jesus calls us to be different. He calls us to go and do likewise.

This parable forces us to ask: Who are the wounded lying on the roadside today? Who are the ones we pass by because they make us uncomfortable, because they do not fit within our social or political categories? The love of God does not allow us to walk by. It compels us to stop, to kneel, and to bind the wounds of the broken.

Let us not be like the priest or the Levite, using religion as an excuse to ignore injustice. Instead, let us be like the Good Samaritan, crossing boundaries, breaking down walls, and loving with a mercy that reflects the very heart of God. Amen.

More: Sabbath School Lesson 12: The Two Greatest Commandments

The Weightier Matters of the Law: Matthew 23:23–30

 The Weightier Matters of the Law

In Matthew 23:23–30, Jesus delivers a sharp rebuke to the Pharisees and religious leaders of His time. They were meticulous in tithing even the smallest of their crops—mint, dill, and cumin—yet they neglected the "weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness." Jesus does not condemn their tithing but points out their hypocrisy in focusing on minor details while disregarding what truly matters. This passage calls us to examine our own priorities in faith and to consider what Jesus means by the "weightier matters."

 The Danger of Religious Formalism The Pharisees were known for their outward religiosity. They performed religious duties with precision, seeking to appear righteous in the eyes of others. However, Jesus exposes their spiritual blindness. They were straining out a gnat while swallowing a camel (v. 24), emphasizing the trivial while missing the profound.

This same tendency can be found today when believers focus more on outward expressions of religion—attending church, giving offerings, following traditions—without addressing the deeper calls of justice, mercy, and faithfulness in their lives.

 The Weightier Matters: Justice, Mercy, and Faithfulness When Jesus speaks of the "weightier matters," He refers to the foundational principles of God's moral law. These are not in opposition to religious practices but are the core of what God desires from His people:

1. Justice – Justice is the pursuit of righteousness and fairness in society, ensuring that the vulnerable are not oppressed. The prophet Isaiah echoes this theme:

   • "Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause" (Isaiah 1:17).

   • The Pharisees enforced religious laws but failed to uphold justice for the poor and needy. Jesus calls us to a faith that actively seeks justice in the world.

2. Mercy – Mercy is the heart of God's character. It reflects His compassion toward those who are suffering. The Lord, speaking through Isaiah, condemns empty rituals when mercy is absent:

   • "Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?" (Isaiah 58:6).

   • Jesus desires His followers to embody mercy, caring for the broken and extending forgiveness rather than merely adhering to religious customs.

3. Faithfulness – Faithfulness means loyalty and sincerity in our relationship with God and others. The Pharisees were unfaithful in their hearts, though they appeared devout. True faithfulness is not just about outward observance but about a steadfast commitment to God’s truth and love.

 Whitewashed Tombs: The Danger of Hypocrisy Jesus further rebukes the Pharisees by comparing them to whitewashed tombs (v. 27). They looked pure on the outside but were filled with death and corruption. This powerful imagery warns us against spiritual hypocrisy—when our external righteousness does not align with the condition of our hearts.

Isaiah also speaks against such hypocrisy, declaring:

• "Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me" (Isaiah 29:13).

• True worship is not just about what we say or do externally but about a heart that genuinely seeks God.

 Living Out the Weightier Matters Jesus' words in Matthew 23 call us to a faith that is more than rituals and appearances. He calls us to a life marked by justice, mercy, and faithfulness. As followers of Christ, we must reflect God’s heart by standing against injustice, showing mercy to others, and remaining faithful in our walk with Him.

May we not be like the Pharisees who focused on minor details while missing the greater call of God. Instead, let us embrace the weightier matters of the law, living out a faith that truly honors the Lord.

More: Sabbath School Lesson 12: The Two Greatest Commandments

The God of Justice Calls Us to Act

Scripture Reading: Psalm 82:1-8

Psalm 82 presents a powerful image of God standing in the divine assembly, judging the rulers and leaders of the earth. It is a call to justice, where God rebukes those who oppress the weak and favor the wicked. Verses 3-4 declare:

"Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked." (Psalm 82:3-4, NIV)

This passage reveals God’s heart for justice. He is not indifferent to suffering but actively calls upon those in power to protect the most vulnerable. Yet, as the psalmist laments, human rulers often fail to uphold justice, walking in darkness and causing instability in the world (Psalm 82:5).

God’s Justice Through Jesus

When we turn to the New Testament, we see Jesus embodying the justice of God. He consistently stood with the oppressed and challenged the religious and political leaders of His time. In Luke 4:18-19, Jesus declares:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19, ESV)

Jesus fulfilled the calling of Psalm 82 by lifting up the broken, healing the sick, and rebuking those who misused power. He taught that justice is not merely about laws but about love and mercy. When He said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matthew 5:6, NIV), He was calling His followers to actively seek justice in the world.

Our Role in God’s Justice

Psalm 82 concludes with a cry for God to rise up and judge the earth (Psalm 82:8). While ultimate justice belongs to God, He calls His people to be agents of His justice today. James 1:27 reminds us:

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (James 1:27, NIV)

Likewise, Jesus commands us to love our neighbors (Mark 12:31) and serve the least among us (Matthew 25:40). Our faith is not just about personal salvation but also about transforming society through acts of compassion, advocacy, and integrity.

Conclusion

Psalm 82 reminds us that God is a God of justice, and He desires His people to reflect that justice in the world. In a world filled with inequality, oppression, and suffering, we are called to stand for the weak, defend the poor, and act with righteousness. Jesus Christ, our model, showed us how to do this through love, service, and sacrifice.

Let us commit ourselves to live out God’s justice, being the hands and feet of Christ in a world that desperately needs His light. Amen.

More: Sabbath School Lesson 12: The Two Greatest Commandments

Two Greatest Sins: Idolatry and Injustice

Scripture Reading: Psalm 135:13–19; Zechariah 7:9–12

 Brothers and sisters in Christ, today we will explore two sins that echo throughout Scripture: idolatry and injustice. These sins are condemned repeatedly because they strike at the heart of our relationship with God and with one another. Psalm 135 warns us about the foolishness of idolatry, while Zechariah reminds us of God's call to justice and mercy. As we reflect on these passages, we will see how they relate to the two greatest commandments: loving God with all our heart and loving our neighbor as ourselves.

 The Sin of Idolatry: Failing to Love God Completely 

Psalm 135:15–18 speaks of idols made by human hands—lifeless, powerless, and utterly unworthy of worship. Yet, time and time again, God's people turned to these false gods, rejecting the living God who had delivered them. Idolatry is more than bowing to a statue; it is placing anything—wealth, power, relationships, or self—above God. When we trust in created things instead of the Creator, we fail to love Him with all our heart, soul, and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5). Jesus affirmed this in Matthew 22:37, declaring that the greatest commandment is to love the Lord our God above all else. Idolatry is a direct violation of this command, as it leads our hearts away from true worship.

 The Sin of Injustice: Failing to Love Our Neighbor 

Zechariah 7:9–12 reveals another sin: the hard-hearted refusal to show justice, kindness, and mercy. God commanded His people to care for the widow, the orphan, the foreigner, and the poor. Yet they ignored these commands, turning away from the needs of the vulnerable. This injustice stems from a failure to love our neighbor as ourselves (Leviticus 19:18, Matthew 22:39). When we neglect the cries of the oppressed, we disobey God's call to righteousness and break the second greatest commandment.

 The Connection Between Idolatry and Injustice 

These two sins are deeply connected. When we turn from God to idols, our hearts grow cold, and we lose compassion for others. Idolatry distorts our values, leading us to prioritize wealth over generosity, status over service, and selfishness over sacrifice. A heart that does not love God fully will struggle to love others rightly. This is why God repeatedly calls His people to repent from both idolatry and injustice—because they are two sides of the same coin.

 A Call to Repentance and Renewal 

Today, we must examine our hearts. Have we placed idols before God? Have we ignored the needs of those around us? Jesus taught that all the Law and the Prophets hang on the commands to love God and love our neighbor (Matthew 22:40). If we fail in these, we fail in everything. Let us repent of idolatry and injustice, turning back to the living God who alone is worthy of worship and who calls us to walk in love and righteousness. May our lives reflect His truth, and may we seek His kingdom first, where love and justice reign. Amen.

More: Sabbath School Lesson 12: The Two Greatest Commandments

Allusions, Images, Symbols: How to Study Bible Prophecy: Sabbath School 2nd Quarter 2025

Allusions, Images, Symbols: How to Study Bible Prophecy 

Sabbath School 2nd Quarter 2025 - Click lesson to download

Introduction

Lesson 1: Some Principles of Prophecy—March 29-April 4

Lesson 2: The Genesis Foundation—April 5-11

Lesson 3: Images From Marriage—April 12-18

Lesson 4: The Nations: Part 1—April 19-25

Lesson 5: The Nations: Part 2—April 26-May 2

Lesson 6: Understanding Sacrifice—May 3-9

Lesson 7: Foundations for Prophecy—May 10-16

Lesson 8: In the Psalms: Part 1—May 17-23

Lesson 9: In the Psalms: Part 2—May 24-30

Lesson 10: Upon Whom the Ends Have Come—May 31-June 6

Lesson 11: Ruth and Esther—June 7-13

Lesson 12: Precursors—June 14-20

Lesson 13: Images of the End—June 21-27

The Greatest Commandment and the Call to Surrender

 

Many people approach Jesus with questions—not just for knowledge, but to test, to justify, or to seek truth. In Matthew 22:34–40, a lawyer asks Jesus a question meant to test Him:

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"

Jesus’ response is simple yet profound:

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."

This answer summarizes God’s entire will for humanity—love for God and love for others.

The Rich Young Ruler and the Call to Surrender (Matthew 19:16–23):
Earlier, another man, a rich young ruler, approached Jesus with a different question:

"Teacher, what good thing must I do to have eternal life?"

Jesus first points him to the commandments, but when the young man claims to have kept them, Jesus reveals the one thing holding him back:

"Go, sell what you have, give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me."

The young man went away sorrowful, because he had great wealth.

Connecting the Two Passages:
Both the lawyer and the rich young ruler sought to test or justify themselves. However, Jesus’ response in both cases was not about rules but about the heart. The greatest commandment—loving God with all our being—requires total surrender. The rich young ruler followed rules but lacked true love for God because his heart was tied to his wealth.

Application:

1. Love for God is more than obedience; it requires surrender. We cannot serve both God and earthly attachments.
2. Loving others is an outflow of loving God. The lawyer asked about the greatest commandment, and Jesus immediately included love for others. Our faith is incomplete without love.
3. Following Jesus means sacrifice. The rich young ruler walked away because he valued his wealth more than following Christ. What are we holding onto that keeps us from fully loving and obeying God?

Jesus calls us not just to obedience but to wholehearted love. This love transforms our priorities and how we treat others. May we not be like the rich young ruler who walked away sorrowful, but like those who surrender all to follow Christ.

Amen.

More: Sabbath School Lesson 12: The Two Greatest Commandments