A Lesson About Neighborly Love

Read Luke 10:25-28

The question the Lawyer asked was a good question. “How do i inherit eternal life?” and one that Jesus has gotten before. Based on what you know about Jesus answer at other times, what would have been a straightforward way to answer this question?

Why did Jesus give a straightforward answer at other times, but not this time? Look at verse 25 and of you want a hint.

Yes it was a trick question. The Lawyer was trying to trap Jesus. To set some context here, Jesus was visiting the region of Galilee. This is the region that Jesus grew up in. While visiting and teaching there, Jesus encountered relentless opposition from the religious leaders and their followers. Earlier in Chapter 10 here Jesus sent 72 of his disciples on a final mission to take the gospel to the cities in Galilee. In preparation for the mission Jesus tells his disciples in verse “10 But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, 11 ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ 12 I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town. “

Jesus then goes on to specifically call out Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum. I think we often get the idea that Jesus took his group aside and talked with them privately. That is not the picture Luke paints for us here. Jesus is sending his disciples, calling out three cities by name, and is pronouncing judgement upon those cities all within ear shot of the crowd that has been following Jesus and challenging him non stop. It is within this context that the Lawyer steps up to take his shot at Jesus, trying to tip him up.

What do you notice about Jesus response to the initial inquiry?

“What is written in the law? How do you read it?” Jesus puts the onus back on him.

How does the lawyer answer?

He sums up the law well. Love the Lord your God and Love your neighbor. Those two maxims summarize the law and the 10 commandments perfectly. Commandments 1-4 teach how to love God and honor him properly while 5-10 tell us what love for ones neighbor looks like.

When we look at this does it not seem like Jesus answer is saying obey the law and you will have eternal life? Look at verse 28.

Lets read the rest of the parable. Luke 29-37.

This is a familiar parable. We have all heard it many times I am sure. Why do you think Jesus used this parable when answering the Lawyer?

How does Jesus story answer the question “who is my neighbor?”

If you are honest with yourself, are you more like the Priest, the Levite or the Samaritan?

What standard does Jesus set for loving our neighbor enough to satisfy God’s law?

To the audience that was listening to this story they would have immediately understood that the road in question was heading out from Jerusalem and rarely travelled by Gentiles let alone Samaritans. In fact the Samaritan in this story would be the least likely person to help a Jewish traveler on the Jericho road. The Jews and the Samaritans despised each other. The Jewish traveler was on the Jericho road heading to Galilee to begin with because he wanted to avoid going through Samaria even though it was longer and an indirect route. (See Map Slide) Despite the fact that the Jews and Samarians were cousins, they hated each other. The Jews viewed the Samarians as unclean dogs, and the Samarians resented and despised the Jews. Loving your neighbor is helping even someone you hate.

How did Jesus long answer turn the tables on the Lawyer?

Shows his and our inability to meet that standard.

What is the point of this parable?

I said earlier that we have all heard this story many times and we often here how we should be better people. Or that we should do better loving our neighbor. I want to be clear that this there is nothing wrong with that application. It is all true, provided we all understand we are not the star of the story. Jesus is the star of the story. The whole point is that while you and I can’t meet that standard, Jesus can and did. He perfectly kept the law during his sinless life. He loved and died for you and me while we were still sinners and rebels. Once we understand that Jesus is the perfect example of loving you neighbor, then we should begin to make application in our own life. Which leads me to my next question.

How does God’s love for us, demonstrated on the cross, move you to respond to it? Are you moved to acts of compassion? Acts of worship? Or something else?

What is the main takeaway from this lesson? What do you want to take heart as you go forward?

I would like you to take a minute here and write down one or two things that you will do to apply what you’ve learned today.

Let’s pray