A Lawyer, A Priest, A Samaritan, and Jesus Walk In…

Key Verse: Luke 10:25- 37 (ESV)

The parable of the Good Samaritan is well known. We often see it referenced in culture when people want to make a point that we ought to do good to strangers. It is also the name of many hospitals and non-profit organizations. As told by the Lord, in the Gospel of Luke, the parable of the Good Samaritan is about a traveler who is stripped of clothing, beaten, and left half dead alongside the road. First, a Priest and then a Levite comes by, but upon seeing him they both avoid the man. Perhaps it was fear or out of religious duty, nonetheless, the weary traveler is shown no compassion. Finally, a Samaritan happens to see the traveler. Although Samaritans and Jews despised each other, the Samaritan helps the injured man. However, why was the parable told in the first place and what caused the Lord to express the need for compassion.

In Luke 10:25 (ESV), we see that Jesus begins this fascinating story after an abrupt interaction with a religious lawyer. Previously, Jesus was speaking to his disciples and hearing about the amazing things God was doing through them in the name of Jesus. The 72 disciples, healed the sick, cast out demons, and preached the Kingdom of God. So why the sudden interruption?

The lawyer was OFFENDED by JESUS words.

Luke 10:20-21 (ESV)

The lawyer was a man of renown, he spent years studying the Torah. He knew the Mosaic law and taught it to the people. But now he was on the outside and was hearing that all those years of studying meant nothing. The lawyer presented fake humility by calling Jesus ‘Teacher.’ He was unwilling to learn and he challenged Jesus. The lawyer had a superficial understanding of the law and he is holding a grudge against Jesus, a son of his own people.

Q. In what ways may you be or have been offended by the Word of God? (Jealousy, skepticism, self-righteousness…)

Luke 10:25-27 (ESV)

The lawyer was KNOWLEDGEABLE.

Deuteronomy 6:5 (ESV), Leviticus 19:18 (ESV)

Upon challenging Jesus, the Lawyer is asked about his own interpretation of the Law. He quotes Deuteronomy and Leviticus, demonstrating that he knew the foundational truths of God’s Law.  The lawyer knew his stuff!

Luke 10:28 (ESV)

He was affirmed as being correct by Jesus, but it was all knowledge and no practical application. He may have thought that he was putting Jesus to the test but he would eventually see that it was Jesus who was putting him to the test.

Proverbs 16:2 (ESV)

Q. What are some examples of where you have been knowledgeable in something but still missed the point? (example: As the lawyer had a superficial knowledge of what he studied)

James 1:22-24 (NIV)

We can not just be hearers of the Word, we must act! Jesus’ challenge to the lawyer demonstrated that the lawyer was certainly knowledgeable but without application, it is no good. Now, full disclosure… While Jesus does encourage us to do good, via acts of kindness, etc., we must understand that only God is good, and in the end, no one truly does good.

The GOSPEL is NOT about being a GOOD PERSON.

Psalm 53:3 (ESV), Isaiah 64:6 (ESV)

Q. Can you share your reflection on ‘being a “good person” pre and post becoming a Christian?

The lawyer REFUSED to come to the TRUTH.

Luke 10:29 (ESV)

Upon hearing Jesus’ challenge to live out the law we see something remarkable. The lawyer asks another question, “Who is my neighbor?” While on the surface it may seem that the lawyer is attempting to be specific about the meaning of the law, we begin to see the motivation of his heart. The lawyer was a rule follower, a man in need of a quota to fill as opposed to following the Lord. He wants clear lines to whom he should be loving according to his own understanding of his own people. His question demonstrates that he is attempting to finagle his way out of the full responsibility of the command of loving your neighbor.

Jesus CHALLENGES our MORALITY.

Christians are called to a higher standard. In Mathew 5, we see that the Lord elevates the commandment of loving our neighbor. He calls us to do love our enemies, to do good to those who do us wrong, and to be good to both “good” and “bad” people. In doing so, we reflect God’s perfection and goodness towards us.

Matthew 5:43-48 (NIV)

However, the lawyer wasn’t interested in following Jesus. He may have known the scriptures but he does not come to the point that he himself is lost and without hope. With no humility, he refuses to come to the Truth. How is it possible? Well, the reality is that he was reading the Bible wrong. Christian Author, Church Planter and Pastor Timothy Keller recently tweeted:

“If we feel more righteous as we read the Bible, we are misreading it; we are missing its central message. We are reading and using the Bible rightly only when it humbles us, critiques us, and encourages us with God’s love and grace despite our flaws.”

The scriptures are all about Jesus and God’s salvation.

John 5:39 (NIV)

Q. How often do you read your Bible and what impressions do you get when you do?

In response to the question ‘who is my neighbor,’ Jesus responds with the parable of the Good Samaritan.

Luke 10:30-35 (ESV)

The traveler is stripped of clothing, beaten, and left half dead alongside the road. First, a Priest and then a Levite comes by, but upon seeing him they both avoid the man. They neglect to act on the very scriptures they claim to preach. In doing so, they show their lack of love for God and man.

1 John 4:7 (ESV)

Although Jews and Samaritans despised each other, it was a Samaritan who sees the traveler and has compassion for him. He stops, disregarding his own safety, he uses his own resources to restore the man and goes much further than anyone could expect. But why? Because the Samaritan knew what love is all about. Love is patient, it is kind and it is not self-seeking Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (ESV)

Q. What natural inclinations cause you to be more like the priest and the Levite rather than the Samaritan?

We CAN NOT set our HEARTS for the ONE until WE see WE were the ONE

JESUS is the TRUE Good Samaritan

1: JESUS is the ONE who sees us

Luke 10:33 (ESV), Genesis 16:13(ESV)

2. JESUS is the ONE who has COMPASSION for us

Luke 10:33b (ESV), Mathew 9:36 (NIV)

3. JESUS is the ONE who PAYS the COST for us

Luke 10:34 (ESV),  1 Timothy 2:6 (NLT), Ephesians 1:14 (CEB)

4. JESUS is the ONE who WILL RETURN for us

Luke 10:35b 35b …I will repay you when I come back.’

John 14:3 (NIV)

5. JESUS is the ONE who COMPELS US to FOLLOW HIM

Luke 10:36-37 (ESV),  John 13:15 (ESV)

Q. In what ways can you be more like the TRUE good Samaritan?

HOW CAN WE BE A NEIGHBOR?

A. We can draw near to the broken – Psalm 34:18 (ESV)

B. We can have compassion on them – Mathew 9:36 (ESV) 

C. We can make time for them – Luke 1:3-4 (ESV)

D. We can invest in them – Luke 16:9 (ESV)

Sermon in a Sentence: When we SEE OURSELVES as we TRULY are, we can rightly follow the EXAMPLE of THE ONE who GOES AFTER the ONE.

Challenge: invest in your ‘neighbors’ this season. Continue to pray and compile the ‘One’.