Jesus Teaches Service

The Parable of the good Samaritan

Luke 10:25–37 ESV

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.”

Parables are stories with a twist, and actually we like stories with a twist but culturally for us they are usually jokes.

Tell a joke.

Remember a parable not only has a twist but it is meant to convey a higher truth about the kngdom of God

Main Point - Loving others is not a duty but a response to God's radical love.

Do you show your parents love to get things from them or because you love them…is your relationship with God different?

What is a movie you liek that has a twist?

The occasion for this story

A teacher of the Law wants to “Test” jesus.

Not a genuine inquarry, he is just puffing himself up.

Shows he has the knowledge of the scrupture he should for his status.

Have you ever tried to stump a teacher only to get shut down?

Jesus Goes from mental accent to action

Do this and you shall live

Where are we on the knowing versus doing?

If you like tell your siblings you love them but refuse to help them in thier hour of need how will they feel about that claim to be loved?

The Lawyer knowing he is getting into deep water tries to show how his particular brand should cut the mustard.

Jesus turns is all on its head with a parable.

Main Point - Loving others is not a duty but a response to God's radical love.

What is in the Parable

Road to Jericho

Picture

Preist on his way to Jericho

Modern Day Pastor

Wanting to stay cerimonially clean

Levite

Also leaving Jerusalem

Modern day Deacon

Samarian

Just the worst.

Show compassion and it comes at a cost…open ended cost.

Do you guys know any parables from your past? The Turtle and the Hair? or something similar?

Main Point - Loving others is not a duty but a response to God's radical love.

Let us look at ourselves for a moment

Have we created categories of people who deserve our help vs. those who don’t

People asking for money outside McDonalds or a staium

They are gonna spend in on … we might say

What is a people group that you think we are suspiscous of?

Do we look at the charitable acts of others with contempt because we dont like them?

The Poor Due of Islam?

Volenteerism in the secular community?

This parable does not seem to care where the compassion comes from, just that it takes place.

Main Point - Loving others is not a duty but a response to God's radical love.

Let us remember the gospel.

Our compassion and our religious category is not what is going to save us.

What we do with Jesus is what save us, and Jesus in us whould make us compassionate.

The most compassionate event of human history is God inviting sinners into his forever home by giving his sone for them.

If we do not see that and feel some motivation to act like the Samamritan we need to ask if we have really been impacted by the death of Jesus.

What would you tell a friend about getting into heaven when they show good actions?

Main Point - Loving others is not a duty but a response to God's radical love.