Half Dead

Luke 10:30–37 KJV 1900

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.

“He is bound to me,

For human love makes aliens near of kin.”

—INGELOW.

This lawyer, being “willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?” (v. 29). The world has never seen anyone better fitted to answer such a question than Jesus. “He knew what was in man.” There are but few who are not willing to justify themselves in their neglect of that mercy (v. 37) which constitutes true neighborliness. This is a parable, beloved, for the Samaritan’s sake. A beautiful reflection of the mercy of God in Christ Jesus, unexpectedly coming into contact with a destitute and alien heart. Observe here—

I. A Threefold Misery.

He was—

1. STRIPPED of his raiment (v. 30). This certain man in going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, a distance of about eighteen miles, fell among thieves and was stripped. Ever since the fall of Adam this world has been a den of thieves. Every man’s business, more or less, is just to get out of others all he possibly can. Only those taught of God can look, not at their own, but at the good of others. All who fall into the clutches of sin and iniquity are sure to be stripped of their raiment of righteousness and of their “garment of praise.” The devil is still seeking whom he may devour.

2. WOUNDED (v. 30). He in all likelihood received His wounds in His desperate attempts to withstand the robbers. Our own strength and wits are a poor defence against the sudden onslaughts of evil. The morally wounded and disabled in the battles of life are found lying everywhere along the highways of human concourse. Their name is legion who have sunk into the ditch of a city slum through being stripped of their reputation and having their hopes and prospects wounded to the death (Isa. 1:6).

3. HALF DEAD (v. 30). In this wretched condition he could do nothing but wait and pray. Waiting for the compassion of some loving heart and the kindly touch of some neighborly hand. To be half-hearted about anything is to be half-dead to the matter. With regard to the things eternal, how many are half-dead and quite unconscious of it. Backsliders in heart (Rev. 3:16). But let us not in our pride condemn this poor outcast, for if we had gone the same way we might have been in the same plight. If we had gone the way of those who are born and reared in the city slum, or in dark heathendom, what better would we be than they are?

II. A Threefold Attitude.

In the Priest, the Levite, and the Samaritan we see three different attitudes toward the helpless and unfortunate. That of—

(1). “He came where he was.” Christ comes to us right where we are. In our stripped and wounded condition we could do nothing for ourselves (Rom. 5:6). scharge of his ceremonial duties he is very punctilious, and would pass by nothing, but a needy, dying brother by the wayside is unworthy of his notice. “Weighed in the balance and found wanting.” No hope can on the Law be built.

2. INTERESTED CURIOSITY. “The Levite came and looked, and passed by on the other side” (v. 32). This man is a type of those who are not a little inquisitive, but who are not even a little compassionate. They want to know, but they don’t want to help. This Levite could tell a story about this poor man when he went home, and justify his heartless conduct by saying that the place was too dangerous for him to tarry and lift the fallen. He also by his act is “weighed in the balance and found wanting” (1 John 3:17).

3. PRACTICAL SYMPATHY. “The Samaritan came where he was, and had compassion on him,” etc. (vv. 33–35). Although the Jews had no dealings with the Samaritans, this Samaritan in mercy would have dealings with the half-dead Jew. This is the point in the parable. A despised one, compassionates, shows mercy, and saves one who was living at enmity with him, thus manifesting that love of God in Christ Jesus which stoops to show mercy with a self-sacrifice that slays the enmity (Eph. 2:16).

III. The Good Samaritan

bears the features of the despised Nazarene, who comes to seek and save the lost.

(1). “He came where he was.” Christ comes to us right where we are. In our stripped and wounded condition we could do nothing for ourselves (Rom. 5:6).

(2). “He had compassion on him” (v. 33). His heart was moved toward him. The Salvation of Christ was heart work. “He loved us, and gave Himself for us.”

(3). “He bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine.” Although we are full of wounds and bruises (Isa. 1), Christ can bind up and heal (Luke 4:18). This He does by the oil of His Spirit and the wine of His Word.

(4). “He set him on his own beast.” Those whom the Lord lifts up are also set in His own place. “Now are we the Sons of God.”

(5). “He brought him to an inn.” The saved of the Lord also find shelter and new friendships.

(6). “He took care of him.” In the Salvation of Christ there is not only a great deliverance, but also a special providence (Rom. 8:28). He careth for you.

(7). He left a promise concerning him (v. 35). Our Great Shepherd has also left enough for our need during His absence in “the exceeding great and precious promises.” “And inasmuch as ye did it unto these, ye did it unto Me.” “When I come again I will repay thee.”

Many people have a slave mentality toward God but how many of you know that He is our father? If you treat God as your master then you will have a slave mentality. I want to show you something about Matthew 3:16-17

Matthew 3:16–17 KJV 1900

16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Jesus had not, as far as we can tell, preached the first message.

Jesus ad not as far as we can tell, performed the first miracle.

Yet he was a beloved son!

God is not looking for your works, He is looking for relationship!

A slave mentality says I have to perform for my master to be pleased with me. Our father loves and excepts us as sons because of our relationship with Him! Not for what we can do for Him!

CON: How many of you want to be sons of God? How many of you want to feel Gods love? Don’t let the devil tell you that God doesn’t love you because you failed! Nothing you can or can not do will stop our father from loving you! So what if you fell among the thieves, God still love you and desires a relationship with you!