Gospel Of Luke Jesus: Lover of the Poor Look At The Book! Gospel Of Luke Jesus: Lover of the Poor

The Humanity Of Jesus Luke seems to concern himself with the humanity of Jesus as contrasted with the legalism and hypocrisy of the leading Jews. One of the first things he records from the mouth of Jesus is a quote from Isaiah 61 Luke 4:18-19 – “ The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.”

Jesus’ Concern For The Downtrodden Much of the gospel of Luke shows Jesus in relationship with the poor, outcast, sinners, and infirm. It is an indication of our need to understand the heart of Jesus as we strive to live genuine Christian lives. We will consider three parables today which indicate the heart of Jesus in these matters.

The Parable Of The Good Samaritan Luke 10:25-37 Man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho is attacked by robbers and left for dead. Two religious men pass him by and do not render any aid. One a priest, the other a Levite. A Samaritan stops, renders aid, makes allowances for whatever else is necessary at his own expense. Who was the real neighbor?

What Led To The Parable? Luke 10:25, 29 – “And a lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, ‘Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?....But wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’” Two mighty commands In his heart, the lawyer knew he was not keeping the second as he should. Jesus indicates by means of the parable what is needed for godly love toward our neighbors.

Primary Characters of The Parable The victim. Only thing known about him was his origin, destination and victimization. A priest: who served in one of 24 rotations of priests. He is likely traveling from Jericho up to Jerusalem to be in time for his round of service in the temple. A Levite: one of the tribe of Levi, serving likewise in the temple environs. A Samaritan: foreigner, disliked by the Jews, probably representing Christ in this parable.

Who Was The Neighbor? Luke 10:36-37 – “Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?” And he said, “The one who showed mercy toward him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same.” Notice the lawyer avoids saying the word Samaritan. What is the true meaning of this parable?

Allegory or Straightforward Meaning? From Augustine on have been very fanciful allegorical approaches to interpreting this parable. Man as Adam. Attack as the Fall. Priest as Moses. Levite as Prophets. Donkey as the gospel or baptism. Samaritan as Jesus. Inn as the church or heaven.

K.I.S.S. Approach Keep it simple, stupid! Jesus was preaching about mercy. Who was the true neighbor to the man who was in need? v. 37 – “And he said, “The one who showed mercy toward him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same.”

The Best Seats In The House Luke 14:7-14 Called a parable, but more akin to moral teaching Places responsibility on the one invited Take the last seat, rather than the first. If you are deserving of more honor you will be moved up. Otherwise you might be disgraced before everyone.

Extension to the Parable Luke 14:12-14 – “And He also went on to say to the one who had invited Him, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, otherwise they may also invite you in return and that will be your repayment. But when you give a reception, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, since they do not have the means to repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

What Led To The Parable? Luke 14:1-6 Jesus invited to eat bread at a Pharisee’s house. Jesus heals a man suffering from dropsy (Edema: possibly from congestive heart failure) Pharisees question legality of healing on the Sabbath. Jesus questions their hypocrisy: son or ox falls in a well on the Sabbath, what do you do? BTW, you are too proud and arrogant.

Primary Message: Learn Humility 14:11 – “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Would a truly humble person have questioned healing on the Sabbath? Humble people serve without questioning the protocol.

The Rich Man And Lazarus Luke 16:19-31 Lazarus, a poor man placed outside the door of the same rich man daily as he begs for bread. Rich man (Dives) dressed by habit in purple and fine linen demonstrating his opulence. Lazarus pitiable: covered in sores, penniless, starving. Both die. Lazarus met by angels and taken to be with God. Rich man descends into Hades where he is tormented.

Conversation From Beyond Death Abraham and the rich man converse. Rich man begs for help, none is able to be sent. Rich man begs for intervention to save his brothers. No intervention can suffice. Jesus teaching on compassion.

Options For The Rich Man Could have given handouts to Lazarus. Could have invited Lazarus in and fed and clothed him, provided for his physical care himself. Could have provided funding to those who practiced healing and benevolence. Either purposefully or carelessly, he did nothing at all.

Jesus Teaching On Compassion All around us are those who are struggling in one way or another. We can help many of them toward a better life. But we have to have hearts of compassion that actually see the needs and desire to meet the needs. Failure to do so could cost us our salvation.

A Final Thought Luke 19:10 – “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Lost people come in all shapes and sizes. Lost people are in great need. Some lost people are very needy. Jesus asks us to help.