PARABLES OF JESUS - THE GOOD SAMARITAN

PARABLE - THE GOOD SAMARITAN

For 25 weeks we are walking through the parables of Jesus. 2 weeks, parable six was of the Lost Sheep. Last week, parable seven was about the unmerciful servant who was forgiven of a debt he could not pay and immediately went out to find someone who owed him just a 100 days wages and could have paid it back, started to strangle him and threw him in jail until he repaid. My question has always been, if he is in jail, how can his debt be repaid? And because he was shown mercy but he did not extend mercy, he himself was thrown in jail to be tortured until he could repay. Reminding us, we have been forgiven of much, so we must forgive much. The Lords Prayer says, Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.

This week we look at one of the most famous parables of all of Jesus’ parables. Even those who have never been in a church have heard the parable of the Good Samaritan. As Christians we must be willing to help those in need. Though salvation is not by good works (Eph. 2:8, 9), salvation will produce good works. Some are so busy with self and pleasure that they have no time to help others; too many are interested in the getting but not giving. If you want to enjoy the Christian life, then learn to give. Learn to share. Learn to help.

As we begin – let us pray!

THE GOOD SAMARITAN

Luke 10:25–37 – And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “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.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

I. The Seeker—vv. 25–29

A. Desire—v. 25. A man came to Christ, seeking the way to inherit eternal life. Many sincere people are seeking for truth.

A lawyer comes to Jesus – they only deal with the Torah – the first five books

He puts Jesus to the test – basically which of these Scriptures must I do to get to heaven – probably not even real interested in the answer but to try and trick Jesus – A lawyer – he knows God’s law.

Many people today are asking the same question – what must I do to get to heaven

Jesus already paved the way – He is the way

John 14:6 – Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

What must we do – receive the Word of God, repent of our sinful nature, believe Jesus Christ is living Son of God, be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

B. Demand—vv. 26–27. He probably heard Jesus teach before because he sums up the law the way Jesus did:

Mark 12:30-31 – And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

The first is called the Shema – Jews would repeat it twice a day

The second comes from Leviticus 19:18 – You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

What is Jesus saying here –

1. Love God with all thy heart—our emotions, desires – desire Him more than anything else or anyone else in the world. Undivided loyalty – heart for God and God alone – God first

2. Love God with all thy soul—our spiritual being and consciousness.

When you soul is hungry or thirsty for truth – where do we turn?

3. Love God with all thy strength—our physical being - motivation. What do we put our energy to during the day – does the Lord get any of it. Not books about Him – but His Book – His Story – His Love for Us

4. Love God with all thy mind—our mental life and intelligence. What do we allow into our minds – what competes in our mind for space to occupy

These four are regarded as the forming the heart of the Jewish religion – undivided loyalty and love for God – faithful obedience.

5. Love Your Neighbor as yourself—social life. Jews did not consider anyone who was not a jew as a neighbor, gentiles and definitely not Samaritans – this only included fellow Hebrews – as we continue in the parable – Jesus tells us – everyone is our neighbor – democrats, transgender, alcoholics, etc.

C. Destiny—v. 28. By keeping this command, we are really fulfilling all the Ten Commandments—Exodus 20:1–16. “DO THIS” If you love God in the four-fold way above, you will keep these commands.

Jesus uses a double imperative here – do this and you will live

The lawyer knew this – he had head knowledge – but it never migrated the 18 in from the head to the heart. British politician Andrew Bennett said the longest journey you will ever take is the 18in from your head to your heart” – you can have a head knowledge of God but never migrate down into your heart, soul – where you trust God and follow Him no matter what.

Not liking Jesus’ answer – and to justify Himself and make life easy on himself – he wants to exclude some people – he is insincere with his faith – he needs to practice what he preaches (18in) – a better question would be “How do I love my neighbor?” “How do I love my neighbor that has rejected you God?” “How do I love my neighbor that is living in sin?” “How do I love my neighbor that has hurt/harmed me, my family, my kids?”

II. The Story—vv. 30–35

Jesus tells a story

A. Problem—v. 30. A man – the audience understood him to be a fellow jew – was traveling 17 miles to Jericho. Robbers and bandits would hide in the cliffs along this passage as the elevation dropped 3000 feet in altitude along this road – something the audience could possibly relate to. The man was robbed, wounded, and left half naked and half dead along the roadside to die, alone and in need of help.

B. People—vv. 31–35 – now by chance – by coincidence Notice the people who came by:

1. A Jewish Priest. He represents the religious world. He offered no help.

Leviticus 21:1 states that a Priest would become defiled if touch a dead body

Some have tried to excuse the priests actions because if he touched the man who was dead – he would be defiled – the were cleansing rituals to become undefiled

His religious superiority prevented him from even seeing if he were alive – so not only does he pass by – he goes to the other side of the road.

2. A Levite. He represents the church world. He also passed without helping.

He thought like the priest – better to not get involved

Those who know God will get involved and help those in need.

These two “knew” God’s character – they were wise, understanding of the Scripture, but were also proud and in power

Deuteronomy 15:14-15 – Supply them liberally from your flock, your threshing floor and your winepress. Give to them as the Lord your God has blessed you. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you. That is why I give you this command today.

Proverbs 19:17 – Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.

Proverbs 28:27 – Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.

Proverbs 31:8-9 – Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.

3. A Samaritan. He represents the Christian world. Though the Samaritans and Jews were enemies – they were hated and despised. A good Jew would go and extra 2 day walk to just not walk through Samaria, this Samaritan helped this Jew in need.

(Story of Pastor who told this parable 2x – the original and then the new one (pastor, church goer, al-Qaeda/ISIS/Hamas etc.).

C. Pity—The despised Samaritan had compassion for the Jewish man who had been ignored by his religious leaders. He shows four levels of kinds of love on this stranger:

1. Divine love. He had compassion on him.

Lamentations 3:22-23 – The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Isaiah 49:13b –For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on his afflicted.

2. Practical love. He bound up his wounds.

He bound up his wounds – poured oil and wine –

He could have stopped there

1 John 3:17 – But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?

Hebrews 6:10 – For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.

3. Kind love. He took him to an inn and gave him shelter.

sat him on his animal – so he walked the rest of the way.

He could have stopped there

4. Unselfish love. He paid for his care.

Paid 2 silver coins – full days wages – would pay more if more charges occurred

He gave expecting nothing in return – not even a thank you – he saw a need and met it

III. The Solution—vv. 36–37

v36 – “Which of these three do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell to among the robbers?

Notice his response – “the one who showed mercy” he couldn’t even say Samaritan

A. Application—v. 36. Who is your neighbor? The wounded one. The whole world is wounded—let’s help them.

B. Answer—v. 37. Note Jesus’ words, “Go and do thou likewise.” Don’t just talk about love—show it! “But if someone who is supposed to be a Christian has money enough to live well, and sees his brother in need, and won’t help him—how can God’s love be within him?”—1 John 3:17, LB.

John 21:15b-17b – “Do you love me?” - then “Feed my lambs, tend my sheep, feed my sheep.”

Are you like the Good Samaritan? Do you give of your time, self, and money to help those in need? God wants more than words—He wants action. Note these steps:

a) Be considerate. Think of others, their needs and problems.

b) Be consecrated. When you give yourself to God, you will be helpful.

c) Be compassionate. Put yourself in the place of others.

d) Be Christlike. Have His love and compassion.

Do you really love Jesus – then be Christlike – Let Us Pray!