“The Parable of the Good Samaritan”

Parable — “a brief story that illustrates a spiritual truth.” 

Luke 10:25-37 (AMP) And a certain lawyer [an expert in Mosaic Law] stood up to test Him, saying, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 Jesus said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” 27 And he replied, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 Jesus said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this habitually and you will live.” 29 But he, wishing to justify and vindicate himself, asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor? 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he encountered robbers, who stripped him of his clothes [and belongings], beat him, and went their way [unconcerned], leaving him half dead. 31 Now by coincidence a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 Likewise a Levite also came down to the place and saw him, and passed by on the other side [of the road]. 33 But a Samaritan (foreigner), who was traveling, came upon him; and when he saw him, he was deeply moved with compassion [for him], 34 and went to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them [to sooth and disinfect the injuries]; and he put him on his own pack-animal, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 On the next day he took out two denarii (two days’ wages) and gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I return.’ 36 Which of these three do you think proved himself a neighbor to the man who encountered the robbers?” 37 He answered, “The one who showed compassion and mercy to him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and constantly do the same.”

Luke 10:25 (AMP) And a certain lawyer [an expert in Mosaic Law] stood up to test Him…

Lawyer — “a religious scholar or scribe who interpreted God’s Law.”

Luke 10:25 (AMP) And a certain lawyer [an expert in Mosaic Law] stood up to test Him [Jesus], saying, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 

• The pharisees and scribes took the 10 commandments and expanded them to 613 commandments [248 positive & 365 negative].

Luke 10:26 (AMP) Jesus said to him, “What is written in the Law?  How do you read it?” 

• This was Jesus’ way of exposing the lawyers heart and true motive.

Luke 10:27 (AMP) And he replied, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” 

Luke 10:28 (AMP) Jesus said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this habitually and you will live.” 

• Even though Jesus accepted the lawyer’s answer, He discerned he’s unwillingness to do what was expected of him.

Luke 10:29 (AMP) But he, wishing to justify and vindicate himself, asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 

How many times have we…

-taken one look at

-had a brief conversation with

-found out which side of the aisle

-found out a doctrinal stance.

-learned what side of the track

-learned an occupation

-seen a bumpersticker

-seen a sign

-convinced we are disliked

    …made a judgment call of who IS and IS NOT worthy of our love.  

Q — Who do we actually consider to be our neighbor?   

Matthew 5:43-48 (NLT) “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies!  Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven.  For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that?  Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

John 3:16 (NKJV) For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…

Luke 10:30-32 (AMP) Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and he encountered robbers, who stripped him of his clothes [and belongings], beat him, and went their way [unconcerned], leaving him half dead. 31 Now by coincidence a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 Likewise a Levite also came down to the place and saw him, and passed by on the other side [of the road].

Jesus didn’t elaborate, but maybe it was because …

-wasn’t a convenient time

-too busy and too time-consuming

-preferred a position over people

-others were more important

-protecting a reputation

-to much of a risk

-social media was calling

-prayer was enough

-lack of a burden

-didn’t “feel led”

• Whatever the excuse might have been, the bottom line is the wounded man was unworthy and undeserving of their love.

James 2:14-17 (NIV) What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds?  Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

“We must have eyes to see as well as hands to help, or we may never help at all.” 

—Frank Damazio

I was hungry and you formed a humanities club to discuss my hunger.

Thank you.

I was imprisoned and you crept off quietly to your chapel to pray for my release.

Nice.

I was naked and in your mind you debated the morality of my appearance.

What good did that do?

I was sick and you knelt and thanked God for your health.

But I needed you.

I was homeless and you preached to me of the shelter of the love of God.

I wish you’d taken me home.

I was lonely and you left me alone to pray for me.

Why didn’t you stay?

You seem so holy, so close to God; but I’m still very hungry, lonely, cold, and still in pain.

Does it matter?

—Anonymous

Luke 10:33 (AMP) But a Samaritan (foreigner), who was traveling, came upon him; and when he saw him, he was deeply moved with compassion [for him]… 

• When a person begins to experience genuine compassion, they are unable to sit back and do nothing. Why? Because real compassion is love in action.

Luke 10:34 (AMP) …and went to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them [to sooth and disinfect the injuries]; and he put him on his own pack-animal, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 On the next day he took out two denarii (two days’ wages) and gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I return.’   

This Samaritan was willing to…

-go to where the man was at

-accept an inconvenience 

-readjust his priorities to help

-use his resources on the behalf of another

-not concerning with if the man was deserving

-identify himself with one who was different than him 

1 Peter 3:8-9 (NIV) Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult.  On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

1 John 3:17 (AMP) But whoever has the world’s goods (adequate resources), and sees his brother in need, but has no compassion for him, how does the love of God live in him?

Luke 10:36-37 (AMP) Which of these three do you think proved himself a neighbor to the man who encountered the robbers?” 37 He answered, “The one who showed compassion and mercy to him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and constantly do the same.”