Preaching & Teaching Series February 9th & 10th, 2013 Questions Jesus Asked Preaching & Teaching Series February 9th & 10th, 2013

“Which of these three proved to be neighbor?” We continue our series on… Today… “Which of these three proved to be neighbor?”

What’s This Lesson About? God expects His people to demonstrate love toward all people, rather than limit to whom we show true love. In this way, we mirror the love God has for us.

Ask the Right Questions Luke 10:25-29 25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 26 "What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?"

Ask the Right Questions 27 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.'" 28 "You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live." 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

Ask the Right Questions The context or situation of this Parable is a lawyer’s question of Jesus – “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Talk about a WRONG question – this is tops on the list. Second on that list is asking “Do you still beat your wife?” So, is “eternal life” something I work for or something I inherit? It can’t be both!

Ask the Right Questions Jesus’s answer picks up on the first part of that question: What does the Law say you have to do? “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind…” “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Was the lawyer correct? Jesus said, “Do this and you got it made.” The lawyer wanted to justify himself. Absolutely! But, can we really do this?

Ask the Right Questions Jesus made a connection between “loving God” and “caring for neighbor.” To really love God means to love those created in God’s image. It is impossible to truly love God and at the same time hate people. In fact, the best way to show our love for God IS by loving our neighbor. This command is not a multiple choice, but rather a BOTH - AND! Everyone! God & People

Ask the Right Questions But, ask the wrong question and you get the wrong answer: The lawyer did not want to know how to love people better or more fully. The lawyer wanted to know how he could limit the people he loved and get away with it before God? Jesus’ answer focuses on what is love? rather than who we should love? Who is my neighbor? We should love everyone!

Don’t Make Excuses for Not Loving Luke 10:30-32 30 In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.

Don’t Make Excuses for Not Loving 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.

Don’t Make Excuses for Not Loving Jesus’ favorite way of teaching was using parables. The Gospels record some 40 parables of Jesus; A parable is a verbal illustration of a spiritual truth; To understand parables, we must keep the main point of the story central; The main point here is “what does it mean to be a neighbor?”

Don’t Make Excuses for Not Loving Jesus begins, “Once upon a time…” A man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho; He meets some robbers; They strip him, beat him, and leave the man half dead; The story details just sets the stage for what’s coming!

Don’t Make Excuses for Not Loving So, what happens next? A priest happens by…sees the man…but passes by on the “other side of the road.” He taught people about God. He knew the Bible backwards and forwards. But, “he did not practice what he taught.”

Don’t Make Excuses for Not Loving A Levite happens by…sees the man…but also passes by on the “other side.” He was in charge of the Temple Sacrifices to God. He knew what God required people to offer. But, “he did not offer what God required.”

Don’t Make Excuses for Not Loving Be careful not to do more with the story details or to draw other conclusions. These are fictional characters with no more details than merely their titles; It is safe to say, that Jesus probably picked them because they represent the highest level of the Jewish religion; And surprise, they did the exact opposite of what everyone would have expected; This sets up the main point of Jesus story;

Respond in the Right Way Luke 10:33-37 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him.

Respond in the Right Way The whole story of Jesus leads to a hero coming in and saving the day. But no one expected THIS hero! A Samaritan – That was unheard of! Why was there so much tension between Jews and Samaritans? Samaritans only accepted the 5 books of Moses as their Bible; Samaritans disagreed as to “where the Temple of God” should be.

Respond in the Right Way Samaritans thought the Temple of God should be on Mount Gerizim; The Jews thought the Temple of God should be on Mount Zion; Samaritans and Jews did not associate with each other; Jews would not travel through Samaritan lands; Jews would not use the same dishes as the Samaritans – so they would NEVER eat together.

Respond in the Right Way Yet in Jesus’ story, it is the Samaritan that has compassion for the victim: Bandaged up his wounds; Provided medicine to help healing; Transports the man on his own animal; Checks into an inn and spends the night caring for the man; The next morning, gives the innkeeper money to continue the man’s care; And promises to reimburse for any additional expenses.

Respond in the Right Way Can you imagine the shocked looks on the faces of Jesus’ audience when He names a Samaritan hero? The main point of the story was to get to ask the lawyer, “Who was the real neighbor here?” How can I be a good neighbors? Who is my neighbor? Ask the Right Question!

Respond in the Right Way If a Samaritan can be a neighbor – then everyone is a neighbor! The lawyer accepted that, but in a roundabout way as he refused to use the word Samaritan; He said instead, “The one who showed mercy.”

Respond in the Right Way Jesus delivers the point of this whole story: Jesus’ disciples are to show compassion to those in need, regardless of: Race or ethnic background; Gender or economic status; Political persuasion or religious affiliation; Go and do likewise! Are you willing to do this?