Transformed By The Parables

Luke 10:30–37 NCV

30 Jesus answered, “As a man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, some robbers attacked him. They tore off his clothes, beat him, and left him lying there, almost dead. 31 It happened that a priest was going down that road. When he saw the man, he walked by on the other side. 32 Next, a Levite came there, and after he went over and looked at the man, he walked by on the other side of the road. 33 Then a Samaritan traveling down the road came to where the hurt man was. When he saw the man, he felt very sorry for him. 34 The Samaritan went to him, poured olive oil and wine on his wounds, and bandaged them. Then he put the hurt man on his own donkey and took him to an inn where he cared for him. 35 The next day, the Samaritan brought out two coins, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of this man. If you spend more money on him, I will pay it back to you when I come again.’ ” 36 Then Jesus said, “Which one of these three men do you think was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by the robbers?” 37 The expert on the law answered, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Then go and do what he did.”

pray

Confession of Faith

I am not moved by what I see or by what I feel. I am moved by what I believe. I believe the WORD of God! The victory is mine! I have it now! I can see it through the eyes of my faith! In Jesus Name

Intro:

Transformation can happen in may ways in our life!

Today I want to start a series where we look at the parables or stories that Jesus shared with his disciples, and with people who where around to hear them!

The Good Samaritan

What is a Samaritan

Long Story Short

The Samaritans in Jesus’ day began as a race of people in the Old Testament, formed after one of the kings of Assyrian captured most of the nation of Israel and sent them into exile

so then he repopulated what was then Israel’s capital city, Samaria, with foreigners who eventually intermarried with the Jews who remained in the land. As a result, their offspring was only half Jewish. These half-Jews became known as Samaritans.

The Jews hated the Samarians for various reasons - which can be found when you study in the Old Testament

But because of this text - the name Samaritan means a charitable or helpful person!

Ok so why is Jesus sharing this story -

He was being tested by a Lawyer

Luke 10:25–29 NKJV

25 And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?” 27 So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ ” 28 And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.” 29 But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

So Jesus set to answer his question by telling him a story

But I want to look at this from a different perspective-

Not about determining who qualifies as a neighbor to love - but the transformative characteristics that we must have to be considered a Good Samaritan

Luke 10:30 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.

Many of us at times have done foolish and reckless things in our lives! Some of us have exposed ourselves to dangerous situations and circumstances!

Some of us have gone to place we know we never should have gone to!

Some of us have disobeyed the law and put ourselves in life threatening situations!

Here is a man who traveled the road where he knew it was dangerous! Sometimes when you no better and you don’t do better some people will say you deserve what you get

Proverbs 22:3 NCV

3 The wise see danger ahead and avoid it, but fools keep going and get into trouble.

The Priest

Luke 10:31 NLT

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.

The question is why was the priest in the same place that this man who got attacked and was left there almost dead!

You would think - that a priest would take care of the man!

But here is the difference - I believe - a religious title does not mean you will help others!

Sometimes people can get caught up in religious ceremonies and religious work that they don’t see the need to take care of the welfare of people! So this religious person passed by on the other side- which means he literally rushed away!

So my question to us is - how many of us put religious work and just business before helping others!

How many of us are putting church rituals before the needs of people!

Here’s a transformative thought

What if people came first! What if we now looked at people as if life had just attacked them, beat them, stripped them and left them for have dead!

What if that is the ministry?

Matthew 25:41–43 NKJV

41 “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’

a member of the Hebrew tribe of Levi, especially of that part of it which provided assistants to the priests in the worship in the Jewish temple. The Levite

Luke 10:32 NKJV

32 Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side.

A Levite is a member of the Hebrew tribe of Levi.

Levites‘ principal roles in the Temple included singing Psalms during Temple services, performing construction and maintenance for the Temple, serving as guards, and performing other services. Levites also served as teachers and judges, maintaining cities of refuge in biblical times.

So here we have another religious person!

This individual valued his safety over compassion for another individual!

Here’s the deal - he was touched with enough feelings to walk over and look at the man, but was too scared to help the man!

Whatever his reasoning - whether he thought the robbers would identify him as the next target

He thought that someone else might mistake him as a robber

or

He felt that getting involved with this mans life was too much of a bother to undergo

the bottom line is his character was not transformed enough

James 2:14–16 NLT

14 What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? 15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, 16 and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?

1 John 3:17–18 NLT

17 If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? 18 Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.

The Samaritan

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.’

Here we have a despised man - looking past everything:

He had to look pass prejudice

He had to look pass peoples opinions

He look pass his own needs

He put then put compassion before his work

He put compassion before time

He put compassion before energy

He put compassion before money

This man gave his heart

This man demonstrated compassion

He did this to help someone in need!

The Samaritan operated in common humanity!

He was a man that saw another man not as a Jew!

He was a man that saw another man not as an enemy

He just saw a person in need!

As a disciple of Jesus Christ - sometimes you have to give up your comfort!

To operate in transformative compassion

you have to reach out to people

To operate in transformative compassion you will need to ease the pain

To operate in transformative compassion you will need to give of your own, money and time

To operate in transformative compassion you will need to sacrifice your own comfort

To operate in transformative compassion you will need to provide the bare necessities

To operate in transformative compassion - you will need to do it personally

Showing love to others will require time , energy and money!

Operating in this capacity is putting love into action!

Love is not just an idea or feeling towards God!

It is practical acts of obedience, and commitment to help any one who needs help!

The Good Samaritan made sure that compassion and care were given!

He paid for the man to have a room to stay while he healed and offered to pay for more if necessary!

So here’s the take away

Jesus in talking to this lawyer was forceful in the commission!

Luke 10:36–37 NKJV

36 So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” 37 And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Go and Do the same!

If there is a need go and take care of the need

If someone requires mercy - whether a family member, a friend, and acquaintance or even an enemy

Go and take care of the need!

This is what we all need to demonstrate as we go about our daily affairs!

We must help all those around us who hurt and are suffering!

Matthew 25:35–40 NKJV

35 for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 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 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

Meditate on the word as we allow the our lives to be transformed by the Parables

God bless you until we meet again!