"In a seminary missions class, Herbert Jackson told how, as a new missionary, he was assigned a car that would not start without a push. After pondering his problem, he devised a plan. He went to the school near his home, got permission to take some children out of class, and had them push his car off. As he made his rounds, he would either park on a hill or leave the engine running. He used this ingenious procedure for two years.
Ill health forced the Jackson family to leave, and a new missionary came to that station. When Jackson proudly began to explain his arrangement for getting the car started, the new man began looking under the hood. Before the explanation was complete, the new missionary interrupted, "Why, Dr. Jackson, I believe the only trouble is this loose cable." He gave the cable a twist, stepped into the car, pushed the switch, and to Jackson's astonishment, the engine roared to life. For two years needless trouble had become routine. The power was there all the time. Only a loose connection kept Jackson from putting that power to work.
J.B. Phillips paraphrases Ephesians l:19-20, "How tremendous is the power available to us who believe in God." When we make firm our connection with God, his life and power flow through us." -Ernest B. Beevers.
We’re talking about God’s kingdom today. How does God’s kingdom system work practically? How does it all fit together?
We’ve talked about the prodigal son, that the purpose of God’s kingdom is to bring us home safely to God. We’ve also talked about being born again, that it is a necessity that we be thoroughly transformed by God through Jesus. Now we’re going to be looking at the parable of the good Samaritan.
And the good Samaritan is all about taking the kingdom out to others. Sharing the love of God with others.
But as we discuss service to others, I want you to keep thinking back to the missionary with the car problem. It made everything he did more difficult. He had to roll the car to start it. But then it was realized, there was a loose cable, and once that problem was fixed, suddenly everything worked so much better.
Here’s the point: If you have a vibrant deep connection with God, you pray everyday, you read your Bible every night, you are focused in on God, then service to others will come naturally.
But if your relationship with God is weak, service to others will be more difficult and a strain.
Now that we have the power, we can do all the good things God has given us to do in Christ. If we find ourselves struggling to do so, we should go back and see what needs to change in our relationship with God. Perhaps a closer connection is needed. Then we can move forward in strength.
Let’s take a look at our context for today. From Luke 10:25-26: “On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
“What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”
Jesus is asked the most important question in the universe. But we’re told the man’s intentions are not really right. He’s asking the question for the purpose of testing Jesus.
Jesus wisely responds by asking him questions. What’s written? What’s in the word?
The man responds to Jesus’ questions. Verses 27-28: He answered, “‘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, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
Now that we’ve entered God’s kingdom, as the prodigal son, and God’s kingdom has entered us through the transformation of new birth, now, God’s kingdom is going to flow out of us toward others.
We are now ambassadors of the kingdom of God. Every person here today is called to minister to people around them, family, friends, strangers, and to show them how to become part of God’s kingdom.
How? How can we do that? By loving God with all of your heart. And with all your soul. And with all your strength. And with all your mind. And then you will naturally love your neighbor as yourself.
We must all train ourselves to love God more and more each day.
So this man has asked Jesus how to receive eternal life. Jesus has asked him what the law says. The man replies sharing the command to love God and love others. Jesus approves of this response, and tells him good, do that and you’ll live.
But the man asks Jesus another question. Verses 29-30: But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.”
There are certain parts of any city you wouldn’t want to be walking around at night, but two thousand years ago, many roads were very dangerous 24/7. In fact, Martin Luther King Jr. once traveled in Jerusalem along this very road in his car, and later he made this comment about it: “I remember when Mrs. King and I were first in Jerusalem. We rented a car and drove from Jerusalem down to Jericho. And as soon as we got on that road, I said to my wife, "I can see why Jesus used this as the setting for his parable." It's a winding, meandering road. It's really conducive for ambushing. You start out in Jerusalem, 1200 feet above sea level. And by the time you get down to Jericho, fifteen or twenty minutes later, you're about 2200 feet below sea level. That's a dangerous road.”
— Martin Luther King Jr., "I've Been to the Mountaintop" (April 3, 1968)
It’s a low road, a dangerous road. But sometimes you have to take difficult roads to get where you’re going.
Similarly you have this man traveling this dangerous road, and the worst case scenario happens. He’s jumped. He beaten up, maybe stabbed. He has everything stolen and he’s left on the road half dead.
Let’s see what happens next, verses 31-33: "A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.”
As you live your life, you will have moments when time seems to slow down, you see someone in need, and your heart will be moved with compassion for that person.
I’m sure you can remember many times when you felt a pull toward someone who was hurting. Maybe it was a family member or friend. Perhaps it was someone you didn’t know but you could just tell they were having a tough day.
This is something my mom is really good at. Shes incredibly talented at starting a conversation with a stranger, and finding out what they’re feeling, and then listening and encouraging them. It’s a beautiful gift. She was a nurse for 30 years, so she had a lot of practice engaging with people who she didn’t know, but knew she needed to serve.
This is the central point of this entire message, if you can understand this, you'll be able to live out every detail of what it means to be the good Samaritan: Your love for God will inspire you to serve. Out of the love of God, which God pours out into your soul, that love will overflow in your life toward love for your neighbor. And it will happen naturally as you receive God's love and allow God to love you. Then, you'll love like the good Samaritan.
Here's my word to you: Be bold. Stay on mission. Remember, it’s your job, as a Christian to help people. Take that seriously. Keep it in your mind throughout the day. Watch for situations where you can help. And let the Holy Spirit lead you.
You can’t meet every need. God knows that. So you need to listen for the leading of the Spirit, sometimes I’ll see someone in need and God will say no. Sometimes I’ll see someone, and God will say yes. Sometimes God will say, feel free (extra credit assignment).
The Samaritan's heart was moved with compassion. Not so with the priest or the Levite.
Let’s see what happens next, verses 34-35: "He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’"
We see in the parable a priest and a Levite, religious leaders walk by and they don’t help the man who has been beaten. But then a Samaritan comes along.
Fascinating, because Jews hated Samaritans.
We see several important factors in the Samaritans response to the situation.
First of all, he pities the man. He has an emotional response to the situation that calls his heart to action. When we see someone in need, when we see a bad situation, when we see someone suffering, we should first respond in our hearts with pity, with a sense of compassion. We join in the sorrow with them.
Second, he went to him. He changed direction. Sometimes we’re going so fast we see a need and we just keep going. We’re so locked in to the course. But no, slow down, and change your course.
Third, he bandaged his wounds. He poured ointment on the wounds so they would heal more efficiently.
I suppose he could’ve stopped there, right? Well, I did my good deed. But he didn’t stop there. He knew if he just left him on the road bandaged, he might not be able to make it anywhere safe. So he puts him in his car, and brings him somewhere safe. He puts him on the donkey. And bring him to a safe place.
Not only that, he brought him to an inn. It even says he took care of him at the inn. He apparently stayed there with him for the night. Because then the next day, he took our two denarii, two days wages, probably about $300.00 in modern money, and gave it to the guy at the front desk, and tells him to look after the man, get him whatever he needs further. And he even says I’ll check back later, and reimburse any further costs in regard to the incident. In modern terms this is probably like bringing him to the hospital, staying with him at his bed side through the night, and then paying his medical bills. This Samaritan gets into the situation even though he has nothing to do with it. And he brings in not just a little help, but helps in an extended, full, complete way. Now that’s powerful.
As those who carry the kingdom of God within us, we are commanded to do something similar with people God calls us to. You will know in your heart when God calls you to help someone. You’ll do it naturally. Or you’ll resist it in your heart. But you’ll know God’s call. Listen to it, and follow it. God will help you. And you’ll help many others to know Jesus Christ as their savior.
You’ll be like the good Samaritan. Most times it won’t be this exhaustive. Sometimes it’s pretty simple. But if you’re a true Christian, your life will be marked by these encounters from time to time. You’ll develop a lifestyle of service to others.
So Jesus tells this parable, then he turns to the man and references the levite, priest,and Samaritan from the parable.
Verses 36-37: “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
First, we want to see that this is what God did for us. We were the man who was attacked by robbers and left half-dead. And Jesus came to us, bandaged our wounds, brought healing and hope to our lives, and brought us to a place of safety. We have been redeemed. We have been washed and made new.
Now, see from the second angle. We are like the Samaritan, who provides for the lost and struggling person.
We’ve gone from redeemed to redeemer. Now, we bring people who are hurting and lost to our master, the Lord Jesus Christ, and when they encounter him, he changes their lives forever.
We have a new mission in life. We used to live for self and pleasure. Now we live for the salvation of others. We live to serve those who are in need. We even put ourselves at risk for others, just like the Samaritan on the road. The road was dangerous in those days. Yet he stuck his neck out for someone else.
God gave us two great commands, Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. And love your neighbor as yourself.”
The love of God is made manifest in the love for neighbor. The Samaritan treats the injured man as if he were family. He bandaged his wounds, took him on his own donkey and paid for hotel room. That is Christ-like love. We are called to model that level of heartfelt interest in the needs of others.
We find a manifestation of God’s love in the radical mercy shown by the Samaritan to a complete stranger. The challenge is in adjusting our lives to show that kind of radical mercy, when prompted by God, in various situations we find ourselves.
Next Steps:
A. Living the parable of the good Samaritan means loving God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength
B. Living the parable of the good Samaritan means seeing yourself as someone on a mission to preach the gospel and meet human needs.
C. Living the good Samaritan means understanding you are a redeemed redeemer
D. Living the good Samaritan means following the Holy Spirit’s leading when the Spirit says to help someone
Discussion Questions:
1. What does it mean to you that you are redeemed?
2. How do you feel about the responsibility you have to bring others to the feet of Jesus?
3. Describe a time when you were able to meet the needs of someone who was struggling.
4. Describe a time when you saw a need but decided not to meet it. Did you feel convicted?
5. Why do you think some Christians struggle to share their faith openly? How will you overcome that?
Here's my word to you: Be bold. Stay on mission. Remember, it’s your job, as a Christian to help people. Take that seriously. Keep it in your mind throughout the day. Watch for situations where you can help. And let the Holy Spirit lead you.
You can’t meet every need. God knows that. So you need to listen for the leading of the Spirit, sometimes I’ll see someone in need and God will say no. Sometimes I’ll see someone, and God will say yes. Sometimes God will say, feel free (extra credit assignment).
The Samaritan's heart was moved with compassion. Not so with the priest or the Levite.
Let’s see what happens next, verses 34-35: "He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’"
We see in the parable a priest and a Levite, religious leaders walk by and they don’t help the man who has been beaten. But then a Samaritan comes along.
Fascinating, because Jews hated Samaritans.
We see several important factors in the Samaritans response to the situation.
First of all, he pities the man. He has an emotional response to the situation that calls his heart to action. When we see someone in need, when we see a bad situation, when we see someone suffering, we should first respond in our hearts with pity, with a sense of compassion. We join in the sorrow with them.
Second, he went to him. He changed direction. Sometimes we’re going so fast we see a need and we just keep going. We’re so locked in to the course. But no, slow down, and change your course.
Third, he bandaged his wounds. He poured ointment on the wounds so they would heal more efficiently.
I suppose he could’ve stopped there, right? Well, I did my good deed. But he didn’t stop there. He knew if he just left him on the road bandaged, he might not be able to make it anywhere safe. So he puts him in his car, and brings him somewhere safe. He puts him on the donkey. And bring him to a safe place.
Not only that, he brought him to an inn. It even says he took care of him at the inn. He apparently stayed there with him for the night. Because then the next day, he took our two denarii, two days wages, probably about $300.00 in modern money, and gave it to the guy at the front desk, and tells him to look after the man, get him whatever he needs further. And he even says I’ll check back later, and reimburse any further costs in regard to the incident. In modern terms this is probably like bringing him to the hospital, staying with him at his bed side through the night, and then paying his medical bills. This Samaritan gets into the situation even though he has nothing to do with it. And he brings in not just a little help, but helps in an extended, full, complete way. Now that’s powerful.
As those who carry the kingdom of God within us, we are commanded to do something similar with people God calls us to. You will know in your heart when God calls you to help someone. You’ll do it naturally. Or you’ll resist it in your heart. But you’ll know God’s call. Listen to it, and follow it. God will help you. And you’ll help many others to know Jesus Christ as their savior.
You’ll be like the good Samaritan. Most times it won’t be this exhaustive. Sometimes it’s pretty simple. But if you’re a true Christian, your life will be marked by these encounters from time to time. You’ll develop a lifestyle of service to others.
So Jesus tells this parable, then he turns to the man and references the levite, priest,and Samaritan from the parable.
Verses 36-37: “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
First, we want to see that this is what God did for us. We were the man who was attacked by robbers and left half-dead. And Jesus came to us, bandaged our wounds, brought healing and hope to our lives, and brought us to a place of safety. We have been redeemed. We have been washed and made new.
Now, see from the second angle. We are like the Samaritan, who provides for the lost and struggling person.
We’ve gone from redeemed to redeemer. Now, we bring people who are hurting and lost to our master, the Lord Jesus Christ, and when they encounter him, he changes their lives forever.
We have a new mission in life. We used to live for self and pleasure. Now we live for the salvation of others. We live to serve those who are in need. We even put ourselves at risk for others, just like the Samaritan on the road. The road was dangerous in those days. Yet he stuck his neck out for someone else.
God gave us two great commands, Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. And love your neighbor as yourself.”
The love of God is made manifest in the love for neighbor. The Samaritan treats the injured man as if he were family. He bandaged his wounds, took him on his own donkey and paid for hotel room. That is Christ-like love. We are called to model that level of heartfelt interest in the needs of others.
We find a manifestation of God’s love in the radical mercy shown by the Samaritan to a complete stranger. The challenge is in adjusting our lives to show that kind of radical mercy, when prompted by God, in various situations we find ourselves.
Next Steps:
A. Living the parable of the good Samaritan means loving God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength
B. Living the parable of the good Samaritan means seeing yourself as someone on a mission to preach the gospel and meet human needs.
C. Living the good Samaritan means understanding you are a redeemed redeemer
D. Living the good Samaritan means following the Holy Spirit’s leading when the Spirit says to help someone
Discussion Questions:
1. What does it mean to you that you are redeemed?
2. How do you feel about the responsibility you have to bring others to the feet of Jesus?
3. Describe a time when you were able to meet the needs of someone who was struggling.
4. Describe a time when you saw a need but decided not to meet it. Did you feel convicted?
5. Why do you think some Christians struggle to share their faith openly? How will you overcome that?
