Whose Our Neighbor?

The Unlikely Neighbor: Love in Action

Bible Passage: Luke 10:25-37

Luke 10:25–37 NLT

25 One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?” 27 The man answered, “ ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” 28 “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!” 29 The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. 31 “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. 32 A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. 33 “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. 34 Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35 The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’ 36 “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. 37 The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”

Summary: The Parable of the Good Samaritan illustrates how love and compassion should transcend societal boundaries and prejudices, calling us to act mercifully in our communities.

Application: This sermon can encourage Christians to reflect on their biases and to actively seek opportunities to show kindness and love, especially to those they might initially overlook. It challenges listeners to redefine 'neighbor' to include anyone in need, promoting a more inclusive view of community support.

Teaching: The sermon teaches that true love is actionable and often requires us to step out of our comfort zones. It emphasizes the importance of mercy and compassion, regardless of social status or ethnic background, drawing parallels between the actions of the Samaritan and Christ's call to love.

How this passage could point to Christ: The Good Samaritan points to Christ's ultimate act of mercy on the cross. Just as the Samaritan aided the wounded man, Jesus is the one who heals our wounds and offers salvation, demonstrating that true love knows no boundaries.

Big Idea: Love is not just a feeling; it requires action, especially toward those who are marginalized or in need.

Recommended Study: As you prepare your sermon, consider exploring the historical context of the Samaritan's portrayal versus the Jewish priest and Levite in Luke 10:25-37. Use Logos to study commentaries that discuss cultural prejudices and barriers during biblical times, which might enhance your understanding of the text's deeper implications for today's audience. Additionally, examining the Greek terms for 'neighbor' and 'love' could provide critical insights into the passage's meaning.

1. Questioning Love's Boundaries

Luke 10:25–29 NLT

25 One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?” 27 The man answered, “ ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” 28 “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!” 29 The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

You could emphasize the lawyer's questioning as a universal human quest for righteousness and justification. Highlight Jesus’ redirecting focus from self-justification to genuine neighborly love, starting by expanding our definition of who our neighbor is. This point suggests introspection about our own biases and preconceived notions about who deserves our love. This initial dialogue sets the premise for understanding love as something active and inclusive, leading into the parable's lesson.

2. Passing By Compassion

Luke 10:30–32 NLT

30 Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. 31 “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. 32 A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.

Perhaps focus on the priest and Levite’s inaction as a critique of religious formalism that lacks genuine compassion. This could challenge your audience to recognize moments when their devotion might overlook the human need directly in their path. Explore how ritual and law without love fall short in representing God's heart, reminding us that proximity to religion isn’t enough if it doesn't move us towards compassion. This calls listeners to prioritize mercy over ritual.

3. Compassion in Action

Luke 10:33–35 NLT

33 “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. 34 Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35 The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’

Maybe draw parallels between the Good Samaritan's merciful actions and Christ's love for humanity. Emphasize that true love interrupts convenience and crosses cultural divides, marking a call to radical, self-giving love. The Samaritan's choice to help exemplifies active faith and mercy, reflecting Christ's Kingdom values. Encourage listeners to see this as a model for engaging with and serving others, suggesting practical applications for showing love in action today.

4. Call to Compassion

Luke 10:36–37 NLT

36 “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. 37 The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”

Focus on Jesus’ conclusion, urging the lawyer—and the audience—to go and do likewise. This command underlines that love must translate into action, reinforcing the sermon's big idea. Highlight Jesus’ subversion of expectations about who acts as a neighbor, pointing towards a love that mirrors His sacrificial grace. Challenge listeners to apply this transformative definition of love daily, encouraging them to become 'unlikely neighbors' through acts of kindness and mercy.