The Good Samaritan

Introduction

Greetings…

Passage: Luke 10:25-37.

Compassion Is Based On Need Not Worth

The Man Beaten Needed Help

The reality is we know nothing of the worth of this man when it comes to societies standards.

Luke 10:30 ESV

30 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.

When it comes to us having compassion for others it shouldn’t be based on who we value more, but who needs it more.

Thankfully, God doesn’t base his compassion on us based on our worth but rather on our need.

Romans 3:9–10 ESV

9 What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, 10 as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one

Romans 3:23 ESV

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

Romans 5:8 ESV

8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Summary

Compassion is based on need not worth.

We also learn from this parable that…

Compassion Feels Something

Need Should Move Us

The Good Samaritan was moved with compassion at the sight of someone in need.

The priest and Levite were not moved with compassion at seeing this man laying half dead but the Good Samaritan was.

Luke 10:31–33 ESV

31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion.

We out to be moved, stirred, and troubled in our heart with compassion for those that are in need.

Matthew 25:35–40 ESV

35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

Summary

The Good Samaritan (two words the Jews had never heard put together) was the one that loved his neighbor more than the Jews that passed by because it pricked his heart to compassion for the man on the road.

Lastly…

Compassion Costs Something

It Is Demanding

Compassion is not convenient, but demands our time, schedule, pride, and sometimes our pocket book.

Luke 10:35 ESV

35 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.’

We must do more than just talk about helping those in need, we must do something, and that something always cost something.

James 2:14–17 ESV

14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Summary

Compassion for those in need will always cost something.

Conclusion

When we look at the parable of the Good Samaritan we find so many valuable lessons about loving our neighbor and having compassion for those in need.

We learn compassion is not based on the perceived worth but need.

We learn compassion should cause us to feel something and be moved by the situation we are witnessing.

We learn compassion is going to cost us and that is ok.

Invitation

Isaiah 59:1–2 ESV

1 Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; 2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.

Philippians 2:6–7 ESV

6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.