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The Parable Of The Good Samaritan Luke 10:30-37

Setting  The start of The Judean Ministry cp. Jn 7:2, :22ff  It is approx. 6 months to the crucifixion  A lawyer comes to test Jesus with a question re: eternal life v. 25 The Good Samaritan Luke 10:30-37

Setting  Jesus’ reply emphasized the word of God v. 26  The lawyer correctly summarizes the Law’s commands…Jesus commends him vv The Good Samaritan Luke 10:30-37

Setting  The lawyer “looks for a loophole”… he tried to justify himself out of the clear implications of the Law v. 29 The Good Samaritan Luke 10:30-37

The Parable  A man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho falls among robbers…he is beaten and left lying half dead  A priest & Levite approach  They do nothing to help his plight  They pass by “on the other side” The Good Samaritan Luke 10:30-37

The Parable  A Samaritan also approaches  He feels compassion for the injured man  He gives him aid on the road  He put him on his own beast and takes him to an inn for further help…he covers all the expenses for what he will need The Good Samaritan Luke 10:30-37

The Applications  Generally, all men live by 3 “rules” Ê The “Iron Rule”  Exhibited by the robbers  “Do unto others before they do unto you”  Might makes right (survival of the fittest)  “What is thine is mine…I’ll take it!” The Good Samaritan Luke 10:30-37

The Applications  Generally, all men live by 3 “rules” Ë The “Silver Rule”  Exhibited by the priest & Levite  “Don’t do unto others what they don’t do unto you”  “What is mine is mine…I’ll keep it!” The Good Samaritan Luke 10:30-37

The Applications  Generally, all men live by 3 “rules” Ì The “Golden Rule”  Exhibited by the Samaritan  “Do unto others as you would have done unto you” cp. Mt 7:12  “What is mine is thine…I’ll share it!” The Good Samaritan Luke 10:30-37

The Applications  Our conduct really hasn’t changed Rom 1: Tim 3:1-4  Basically, people fall into 3 “categories”  Selfishness Ù Iron Rule  Indifference Ù Silver Rule  Selflessness Ù Golden Rule The Good Samaritan Luke 10:30-37

The Applications  Though they lived by different “rules,” the robbers and the priest & Levite were very much alike  They only thought of themselves  A lack of love… a contempt for others  No service…only use people for self The Good Samaritan Luke 10:30-37

The Applications  The nameless Samaritan was different  He thought of someone else  He rendered the service he would have wanted and needed himself  He reached beyond stereotypes to include someone different than himself The Good Samaritan Luke 10:30-37

The Applications  Jesus’ choice of a “Samaritan” was by choice, not by accident  It seems best to assume the injured man was a Jew  He chose “priest” & “Levite” vv  He chose “Samaritan” cp. Jn 4:9 The Good Samaritan Luke 10:30-37

The Applications  Jesus’ choice of a “Samaritan” was by choice, not by accident  The lawyer can’t even bring himself to say “Samaritan” v. 37  The parable seems to lose its force if the injured man is not a Jew The Good Samaritan Luke 10:30-37

The Applications  The point of the parable was to expose the lawyer’s shallow thinking v. 29  His “loophole” quickly closed when Jesus asked him the question he could not avoid answering vv The Good Samaritan Luke 10:30-37

The Applications  The point of the parable was to expose the lawyer’s shallow thinking v. 29  We create “loopholes” when we try to limit the scope of our responsibilities  Just how big is the “neighborhood?” Gal 6:9-10 The Good Samaritan Luke 10:30-37

The Applications  The point of the parable was to expose the lawyer’s shallow thinking v. 29  Our primary “goal” in rendering physical service (compassion) should be the opportunity to share what someone will really need Ù the gospel 1 Cor 9:19-23 The Good Samaritan Luke 10:30-37

The Applications  The Samaritan shows how service is to be rendered  We can’t just do the “bare minimum”  We must do what is required vv cp. Mt. 5:41-42,  Love is deeds…not words 1 Jn 3:16-18 The Good Samaritan Luke 10:30-37

The Applications  God has always desired compassion, not sacrifice Hos 6:6 Mt 9:10-13  This notion addresses the shame of the priest & Levite  It was the task of such men to bless & serve others… they did neither The Good Samaritan Luke 10:30-37

The Applications  If we refuse to show compassion to others when opportunities come, we cannot continue to claim a love for God while showing cold & hard disdain for other human beings 1 Jn 4:20-21 The Good Samaritan Luke 10:30-37

The Lesson  Which one represents me?  The robbers?  The priest or Levite?  The Samaritan?  The lawyer? Ù “Outside” The Parable The Good Samaritan Luke 10:30-37 “Inside” The Parable

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