Jesus Guides Us Into New Understanding
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Recap of last week
Recap of last week
Last week we looked at how Jesus responded when the 12 and 72 returned.
He rejoiced within the hour they returned.
He didn’t rejoice because of the numbers
He didn’t rejoice be of what they accomplished.
He rejoiced in the fact that God revealed himself to them and they experienced God!
Church, if you haven’t figured it out yet, lol, we want you to experience God.
We want you to daily be able to say, “wow, look what God just did!”
We also learned that there are those that consider them selves wise and full of understanding and God chooses to hide himself from them.
He doesn't reveal himself because they aren’t ready to receive. They would just assume that whatever God was doing was a result of their goodness or righteousness.
So what do we do when we encounter one of these people and they engage us and try to explain away what we are experiencing?
I’m glad you asked. lol
Intro
Intro
Today we are looking at The story of the Good Samaritan.
Let’s agree together that most of us have all read this story and heard lots of sermons on this passage of scripture. To be honest this was a very difficult one for me, personally, to dig into to see the character of Jesus in this passage. My mind is flooded with all the nuances that I have personally taught and that I have heard taught. Ironically, I used this passage a year and 6 days ago when Glen was on vacation. This passage was hard for me because I want to go back to what we talked about a year ago. I want to ask, how have we done? But...
Jesus said “No”. Look at me, watch what I’m doing. Know me.
If you would have asked me this week if I was focused on the “doing” part of our walk with God I would have flatly told you no. However, Jesus revealed the condition of my heart this week. It is my hope that he will do the same for you. Not that it would correct your action, but that you would encounter a loving Savior that loves us exactly where you are.
English Standard Version Chapter 7
30 but the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.)
Let’s pray together, quickly, before we dive in.
English Standard Version Chapter 7
but the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.)
29 But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. 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 while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
26 He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?”
27 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.”
28 And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”
29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
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.
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.
34 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.
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.’
36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?”
37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”
The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. (1989). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.
Luke
The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. (1989). (). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.
God is working in the area through the 72 that have just returned.
On the heals of that, Satan wants to pull the attention away from what God is doing and put it on something else.
Story of the poopy diaper throw.
Just when things are getting good with God, Satan wants to mess it up.
So, Jesus is rejoicing and...
Stage Right: the Lawyer enters.
The Lawyer had already heard of and rejected Jesus and his teaching. Remember this?
but the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.)
28 I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
29 (When all the people heard this, and the tax collectors too, they declared God just, having been baptized with the baptism of John,
30 but the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.)
31 “To what then shall I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like?
32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, “ ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’
Luke 7:28-
This in an excerpt from the passage that Glen used in the sermon, Jesus Talks Behind Our Backs. The Pharisees and the Lawyers had heard and seen the same things that everyone else had, but they choose not to believe.
They were convinced that obeying the law was how they gained the love, approval, and ultimately acceptance of God.
How many times do we hear from God and we make a choice to not follow his direction?
If you’re like me you would probably answer that with, “rarely”.
Here’s the kicker, we don’t even realize we’re doing it.
Jesus knew the Lawyer’s thoughts.
Jesus knew he already thought he had the correct answers.
25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
26 He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?”
Luke 10:25-
Jesus didn’t argue with him. The Holy Spirit was at work and was drawing the Lawyer.
Side Note: If you haven’t heard me say this before... I promise this won’t be the last. I say it often and mostly because it is a good reminder for me.
You will NEVER argue someone into believing what you believe.
This is especially true if they think of themselves as an expert in the topic at hand.
They have to want to believe it.
How would this conversation have been different if Jesus would have just said, "Quit being a jerk and do what you preach!”
So what does Jesus do? He asked the lawyer to share his thoughts.
27 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.”
Luke
As advertised, the Lawyer perfectly quotes the law. He Knows the Law.
As advertised, the Lawyer perfectly quotes the law. He Knows the Law.
As advertised, the Lawyer perfectly quotes the law. He Knows the Law.
Jesus disarms the lawyer.
28 And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”
The Lawyer is all prepared for this theological debate. That’s what Lawyer’s do, they prepare to argue their case. They gather supporting evidence and present their case.
Have you ever had someone approach you and it is obvious that they are prepared for the argument? They know their points, they have their speech just right, and they have thought through everything you might say and they have a rebuttal for it.
Story of the bullies at drivers ed.
I was out numbered.
Then you have the audacity to respond by agreeing with them?
I was out gunned.
By giving them what they thought they wanted I took the fun out of it.
what happens? They are disarmed. They had prepared for everything, BUT that.
Story of the bullies at drivers ed.
I was out numbered.
I was out gunned.
I took a calculated risk
to my amazement they walked away
They had set a trap and assumed that I would fight back.
By not fighting back I took the fun out of it.
In this story, the Lawyer has laid his trap.
Instead of a falling into the trap, Jesus agrees with him.
The Lawyer had no idea that the Holy Spirit was working in him.
I was out numbered.
I was out gunned.
By giving them what they thought they wanted I took the fun out of it.
Jesus agreeing with him threw him off his game. He didn’t know what to think.
Then Jesus makes his move.
Jesus moves the conversation from theology into personal reflection.
He adds, “do this and you will live”.
Don’t miss this - This is where the fireworks happen!
At Jesus’s response the lawyer realizes that he has missed it.
Jesus has revealed his true heart.
This man has spent his entire life learning the law
Lawyers are wordsmiths. Words are their weapons.
In six words, just six words, Jesus shows him that while he knows the law, he has not fulfilled it.
By the lawyers own definition, he is excluded from the very thing he is asking how to obtain, eternal life.
At this moment the Lawyer has a crisis of belief. But, he doesn’t give up easily.
Don’t we do this in our own lives?
It usually sounds something like this: Wait, Jesus, you want me to do what? I must have misheard you.
Is that ringing a bell to anyone?
Why is it then, that as Jesus reveals to us the truth about who he is, we are surprised that those people that we respect the most disagree with us?
We are a product of our environment too.
When Jesus challenges the status quo in our lives, when he pushes us from dead religion into an active relationship with himself we are changed.
Think about this, the Lawyer is a product of his environment. He believes what he believes because that is what he has been taught by the people he respects the most.
Why is it then, that as Jesus reveals to us the truth about who he is, we are surprised that those people that we respect the most disagree with us?
We are a product of our environment too.
When Jesus challenges the status quo in our lives, when he pushes us from dead religion into an active relationship with himself we are changed.
The people that are in our lives notice that change.
chances are that the Holy Spirit is going use that as an opportunity for you speak truth to them.
They may come to you and say, what are you doing?
Maybe Jesus is giving you an opportunity to share what he has done in your life.
The Lawyer, he doesn’t give up. He sticks to his guns.
29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
Luke 10:
We are a product of our environment too.
When Jesus challenges the status quo in our lives, when he pushes us from dead religion into an active relationship with himself we are changed.
The people that are in our lives notice that change.
So how do we handle those conversations? Here’s the deal, those conversations are huge.
The people in your life have noticed something and chances are that the Holy Spirit is going use that as an opportunity for you speak truth to them.
He ask Jesus to define one of the words in the scripture.
If you are ever in a discussion with someone and they ask you to define a commonly known and used word, WATCH OUT. They are grasping for straws and things are about to get crazy.
Jesus uses a known event to communicate truth.
Most scholars agree that this isn’t a made up story. Had it been the Lawyer would have laughed him off.
Most believe that this was something that had happened sometime before Jesus has his interaction with the Lawyer. It was something that had conjured up much discussion amongst the Jews.
because of their hatred of the Samaritans, this story was a big deal. The Samaritan acted more righteously than the Jews, who believed themselves to be the most righteous.
29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
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.
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.
34 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.
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.’
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.’
Luke 10:
Jesus uses a known event to communicate truth. He uses an event that the lawyer would have been emotionally invested in to make his point.
Most scholars agree that this isn’t a made up story. Had it been the Lawyer would have laughed him off. Surely a Samaritan would never help a Jew. There was mutual hatred between both.
Luke 10:
Most believe that this was something that had happened sometime just before Jesus has his interaction with the Lawyer. It was something that had conjured up much discussion amongst the Jews.
because of their hatred of the Samaritans, this story was a big deal. The Samaritan acted more righteously than the Jews, who believed themselves to be the most righteous.
Jesus is communicating a few different things with this story.
First, he is pointing out to the Lawyer that knowledge and lineage don’t automatically make righteousness.
What was taught by the church at that time was to know the law and “obey” it.
Secondly, he is showing him that their is a cost associated with being a believer.
It cost this man:
his safety - it could have been a trap set by the robbers
his time - he tended the mans woulds and carried him to town and set up an agreement with the inn keeper
his money - he paid for this mans lodging and care.
Thirdly, Jesus is pointing out that true faith always manifest itself with fruit.
True faith always manifest itself with fruit.
when we are actively engaged in our relationship with God we bear fruit. Fruit that he puts on us.
God acts through us and that
36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?”
37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”
Luke 10:36-37
Jesus, in the course of a few minutes, takes this expert in the law and strips him of his arguments.
Jesus shows that what was most important in that moment on the road was not the law, their race, or religion.
What was most important in that moment to the man that was near death was a stranger who had enough compassion and mercy to take the time to stop and help.
Our compassion for one another will be what determines if we are able to share the gospel.
When someone tries to argue with you about what you believe, how will you respond?
Will you argue back or will you listen and wait on the Holy Spirit to direct the conversation?
I think that it is worth noting that in the BLESS acrostic, us speaking is the very last thing we do.
As we do life with people from a myriad of backgrounds and beliefs it is vital that we take this lesson to heart.
Closing:
Closing:
Jesus shares a story of something that has actually happened and known by others.
Jesus doesn’t call it a parable
What do we learn about Jesus in this story? He is gentle.
The lawyer shows up ready to have a battle of whits.
Jesus doesn’t get defensive, he listens and he redirects him right back to scripture.
He uses the scripture, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to show the Lawyer the truth about who God is and what he desires from us.
19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.
When someone approaches you wanting to discuss Jesus, the chances are great that the Holy Spirit is working.
Pay attention to what he is doing.
Story about Terry and Jonathan
The Lawyer doesn’t go crazy about the idea of the story, he accepts it.
Look, we can talk about “experiencing God” or “knowing him”, but we won’t until we take the lessons he is teaching us and move them out of the theoretical and into the practical.
Jesus wants to guide us into new understanding.
Jesus wants to use us to help others understand who God really is.
Yes, sometimes that might be painful or uncomfortable or costly, but in the end we get to know the heart of God AND We gain a new, experienced, revelation of truth. We now own it because we have lived it.
And we will get share that with someone else as God draws them in.
Since the laws were given, the religious believed that obeying it was how to make God happy. Jesus reveals to them the heart of God.
He sends the Lawyer back to the law because it shows us our need to be saved. the Lawyer felt that right away which is why he seeks to justify himself.
ABC’s
BLESS - Us talking is the last thing that happens in this process.