When the Good Samaritan is Bad News
Notes
Transcript
Many of Jesus Parables have become a part of our culture, even for those who don’t call themselves, “Christians.”
Many of Jesus Parables have become a part of our culture, even for those who don’t call themselves, “Christians.”
Good Samaritan ,1)Someone who does something good to someone else, 2) People who take a chance to help someone injured are protected by the “Good Samaritan Law.” How many today realize the Good Samaritan originated in Jesus’ parables?
Good Samaritan ,1)Someone who does something good to someone else, 2) People who take a chance to help someone injured are protected by the “Good Samaritan Law.” How many today realize the Good Samaritan originated in Jesus’ parables?
Many of the parables originated in the dialogues Jesus had with others
Many of the parables originated in the dialogues Jesus had with others
This one was between Jesus and a teacher of the religious laws.
This one was between Jesus and a teacher of the religious laws.
Obeying these laws wasn’t to stay out of courts or jails but to please God.
Obeying these laws wasn’t to stay out of courts or jails but to please God.
Luke 10:25-27
Luke 10:25-27
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
“What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”
He answered: “ ‘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, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Jesus often answered questions with a question
Jesus often answered questions with a question
So he threw the Lawyer’s question back on him
So he threw the Lawyer’s question back on him
What does the religious law say is the path to eternal life? Luke 10:28-29
What does the religious law say is the path to eternal life? Luke 10:28-29
“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
This answer could have resulted in a dissertation on the Books of Exodus-Deuteronomy, but the lawyer broke it down into two categories.
This answer could have resulted in a dissertation on the Books of Exodus-Deuteronomy, but the lawyer broke it down into two categories.
Love the Lord you God with ALL your heart, all your soul, all your strength and all your mind.
Love the Lord you God with ALL your heart, all your soul, all your strength and all your mind.
Love your neighbor as yourself.
Love your neighbor as yourself.
Jesus validates the lawyer’s answer but the man’s response should have been to ask, “How can I do this? I am not able. I need help.” Instead, he tried “to justify himself,” that is, to defend himself against the implications of Jesus’ words. So he tried to move the focus off himself by asking, And who is my neighbor?
Jesus validates the lawyer’s answer but the man’s response should have been to ask, “How can I do this? I am not able. I need help.” Instead, he tried “to justify himself,” that is, to defend himself against the implications of Jesus’ words. So he tried to move the focus off himself by asking, And who is my neighbor?
Who are my neighbors?
Who are my neighbors?
It is much easier if we can reduce the pool of neighbors to those we know and feel comfortable extending a helping hand to.
It is much easier if we can reduce the pool of neighbors to those we know and feel comfortable extending a helping hand to.
So Jesus tells this parable.
So Jesus tells this parable.
Luke 10:30-35
Luke 10:30-35
In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
Most likely the audience Jesus was speaking to was primarily Jewish and the relationship between Jews and Samaritans was hostile going back several hundred years and was both ethnic and religious. (For more information see 2 Kings 17:29ff; Nehemiah 4:1ff; Ezra 4:1ff; Deuteronomy 27:11-13)
Most likely the audience Jesus was speaking to was primarily Jewish and the relationship between Jews and Samaritans was hostile going back several hundred years and was both ethnic and religious. (For more information see 2 Kings 17:29ff; Nehemiah 4:1ff; Ezra 4:1ff; Deuteronomy 27:11-13)
It is easy to see the point of Jesus’ parable. Jesus wants us to realize that responsibility to neighbors involves the whole human race. It doesn’t matter whether we know the other person or what ethnicity, race or or style of life they come from. It doesn’t even matter whether the other person appeals to us or repulses us. Just the fact they they inhabit the same planet as us, it makes them our neighbor.
It is easy to see the point of Jesus’ parable. Jesus wants us to realize that responsibility to neighbors involves the whole human race. It doesn’t matter whether we know the other person or what ethnicity, race or or style of life they come from. It doesn’t even matter whether the other person appeals to us or repulses us. Just the fact they they inhabit the same planet as us, it makes them our neighbor.
So with that being said let’s look at this parable from a different angle.
So with that being said let’s look at this parable from a different angle.
We are most often focus on the three characters who encountered the man beaten and robbed, but what about the man himself?
We are most often focus on the three characters who encountered the man beaten and robbed, but what about the man himself?
In the traditional translations, this man was not identified as a Jew but current translations like the NIV do and it only makes sense from situation the parable takes place in.
In the traditional translations, this man was not identified as a Jew but current translations like the NIV do and it only makes sense from situation the parable takes place in.
So this Jewish man was ignored by his fellow Jews, who would have been likely neighbors but was helped by a foreigner, a Samaritan.
So this Jewish man was ignored by his fellow Jews, who would have been likely neighbors but was helped by a foreigner, a Samaritan.
What do you think this man was feeling about his experience?
What do you think this man was feeling about his experience?
Remember, Jews and Samaritans would go miles out of their way to avoid each other. This man had probably never even met or spoken to a Samaritan and prior to this experience hoped it would remain that way.
Remember, Jews and Samaritans would go miles out of their way to avoid each other. This man had probably never even met or spoken to a Samaritan and prior to this experience hoped it would remain that way.
But now, in this time of his greatest need, it is a Samaritan that is touching his body by cleaning his wounds and lifting him onto a donkey. It is a Samaritan who takes him to an inn, stays with him through the night and pays current and future medical bills.
But now, in this time of his greatest need, it is a Samaritan that is touching his body by cleaning his wounds and lifting him onto a donkey. It is a Samaritan who takes him to an inn, stays with him through the night and pays current and future medical bills.
We might answer the question, well he was grateful and glad for the care of this person, but that is not always the case. How many times have you heard someone say, “I’d rather die than let ...... help me.”
We might answer the question, well he was grateful and glad for the care of this person, but that is not always the case. How many times have you heard someone say, “I’d rather die than let ...... help me.”
Maybe he said a quick prayer like, “Thank you God for bringing me help, but couldn’t you have brought me some nice Jewish guy rather than this Samaritan?”
Maybe he said a quick prayer like, “Thank you God for bringing me help, but couldn’t you have brought me some nice Jewish guy rather than this Samaritan?”
Let’s go back and look at this parable from the victim’s perspective.
Let’s go back and look at this parable from the victim’s perspective.
Luke 10:30
Luke 10:30
In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.
We have no idea why this man was making the trip; business, family, relaxation, ???
We have no idea why this man was making the trip; business, family, relaxation, ???
All of a sudden, he was overpowered, attacked, not just robbed but left for dead.
All of a sudden, he was overpowered, attacked, not just robbed but left for dead.
Luke 10:31
Luke 10:31
A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.
Then in his time of need help showed up.He recognized someone who would let him keep his self regard and pay his own way.
Then in his time of need help showed up.He recognized someone who would let him keep his self regard and pay his own way.
But this person passes by because he can only help those who don’t need help. After all even if he had the ability to help, it is clear that the person in the gutter can’t pay his way. All the promises and statements of a good record and sound credentials can’t be proved. Probably this guy brought this all on himself
But this person passes by because he can only help those who don’t need help. After all even if he had the ability to help, it is clear that the person in the gutter can’t pay his way. All the promises and statements of a good record and sound credentials can’t be proved. Probably this guy brought this all on himself
Luke 10:32
Luke 10:32
So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
With all hope waning, another person came by that would surely help him.
With all hope waning, another person came by that would surely help him.
This time the victim cries out with a sincere plea for help.
This time the victim cries out with a sincere plea for help.
But sincerity doesn’t count. After all for a Levite to help this person would make him unclean and would jeopardize his work and community position. So he just passed by. Sincerity isn’t always enough.
But sincerity doesn’t count. After all for a Levite to help this person would make him unclean and would jeopardize his work and community position. So he just passed by. Sincerity isn’t always enough.
Luke 10:33
Luke 10:33
But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.
The he heard another set of footsteps on the road above. Even through the slits of his eyes he could tell this third stranger was a “Samaritan.” After all this stranger was carrying a cross and scriptures said “Anyone who hangs on a tree is cursed.” (see Deuteronomy 21:23, Galatians 3:13)
The he heard another set of footsteps on the road above. Even through the slits of his eyes he could tell this third stranger was a “Samaritan.” After all this stranger was carrying a cross and scriptures said “Anyone who hangs on a tree is cursed.” (see Deuteronomy 21:23, Galatians 3:13)
This person would probably check to see if there was something more he could take from the victim, he was sure of that.
This person would probably check to see if there was something more he could take from the victim, he was sure of that.
Luke 10:34
Luke 10:34
He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him.
But this stranger showed compassion and actually used his own resources to not just help but probably save the life.
But this stranger showed compassion and actually used his own resources to not just help but probably save the life.
The victim assures the Samaritan that he can pay him back and he is a sincere person deserving the help being given.
The victim assures the Samaritan that he can pay him back and he is a sincere person deserving the help being given.
But the stranger answers, “No one can purchase what I offer nor can anyone deserve it. But I shall be glad to give it to you.” And he lifts up the man and put him on a donkey, a wondrously awkward beast called Grace.
But the stranger answers, “No one can purchase what I offer nor can anyone deserve it. But I shall be glad to give it to you.” And he lifts up the man and put him on a donkey, a wondrously awkward beast called Grace.
The injured person is too hurt, too tired, too humiliated, too confused to resist anymore, so he accepts the Samaritan’s help and doses off in a peaceful rest.
The injured person is too hurt, too tired, too humiliated, too confused to resist anymore, so he accepts the Samaritan’s help and doses off in a peaceful rest.
Luke 10:35
Luke 10:35
The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
He woke up the next morning prepared to thank his Samaritan and make some kind of retribution, but the Samaritan has gone and all costs, even for the future bills had already been paid.
He woke up the next morning prepared to thank his Samaritan and make some kind of retribution, but the Samaritan has gone and all costs, even for the future bills had already been paid.
In this age of self preservation and entitlement maybe you and I would reject this kind of help. This Samaritan has actually embarrassed us with HIS very kindness and mercy, because HE won’t let us pay our own way and isn’t even impressed by our credentials and sincerity.
In this age of self preservation and entitlement maybe you and I would reject this kind of help. This Samaritan has actually embarrassed us with HIS very kindness and mercy, because HE won’t let us pay our own way and isn’t even impressed by our credentials and sincerity.
The dying man in this parable must have felt, at some point that death would have been preferred over help from a Samaritan that we couldn’t pay back.
The dying man in this parable must have felt, at some point that death would have been preferred over help from a Samaritan that we couldn’t pay back.
How often do we draw back from the Eternal Samaritan’s extended hand, unless our needs are so desperate that we must accept HIM. Only when we confess that we are powerless to truly help ourselves and only when we see what love this Divine Samaritan offers can we find that healing, relief and peace that is being offered. Only then are we willing to be lifted onto the donkey called Grace and ride it alongside Christ the Samaritan, into God’s safe and eternal lodging.
How often do we draw back from the Eternal Samaritan’s extended hand, unless our needs are so desperate that we must accept HIM. Only when we confess that we are powerless to truly help ourselves and only when we see what love this Divine Samaritan offers can we find that healing, relief and peace that is being offered. Only then are we willing to be lifted onto the donkey called Grace and ride it alongside Christ the Samaritan, into God’s safe and eternal lodging.
Because in answer to Christ’s question, we are all the dying person and are invited to join Jesus by becoming a Samaritan.
Because in answer to Christ’s question, we are all the dying person and are invited to join Jesus by becoming a Samaritan.
Luke 10:36-37
Luke 10:36-37
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”