“Who Is My Neighbour?” Matthew 18; Luke 10 Lesson 14

Topics Learning to Become as a Little Child The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant The Parable of the Good Samaritan

Mark & Caroline Malmstrom

What are some childlike qualities the Lord wants us to have?

Matthew 18:1-6, 10-11, 14 1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

Matthew 18:1-6, 10-11, 14 6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea…. 10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. 11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost…. 14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

Why do you think the disciples were concerned about who would be the greatest in the Lord’s kingdom? Have you ever been guilty of worrying about/trying to get ahead (of someone else)?

What is Jesus’ counsel to those who desire to achieve true greatness in his kingdom? (See Matthew 18:2–4; Mark 9:35.)

Is it possible to follow the Lord’s counsel to be childlike in the church, but to be more aggressive (“worldly”) in the world (careers, business, etc.)?

What does it mean to “offend one of these little ones”? Matthew 18:6, footnote 6a – GR cause to stumble. (D&C 121:19–22) 19 Wo unto them; because they have offended my little ones they shall be severed from the ordinances of mine house. 20 Their basket shall not be full, their houses and their barns shall perish, and they themselves shall be despised by those that flattered them. 21 They shall not have right to the priesthood, nor their posterity after them from generation to generation. 22 It had been better for them that a millstone had been hanged about their necks, and they drowned in the depth of the sea.

D&C 50:40–41 (for a broader definition of “little children”) 40 Behold, ye are little children and ye cannot bear all things now; ye must grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth. 41 Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world, and you are of them that my Father hath given me; What does it mean to “offend one of these little ones”?

We must not cause anyone seeking greater understanding of the gospel plan to stumble in their faith, nor should we do anything to block their progress toward eternal life. Elder Bruce R. McConkie taught about this warning: “Few crimes are as gross and wicked as that of teaching false doctrine and leading souls away from God and salvation. … If eternal joy is the reward given those who teach the truth and bring souls to salvation, shall not those who teach false doctrines and lead souls to damnation receive as their reward eternal remorse? (D. & C. 18:10–16.) “… It is better to die and be denied the blessings of continued mortal existence than to live and lead souls from the truth, thereby gaining eternal damnation for oneself” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 1:420). –Institute New Testament Manual What does it mean to “offend one of these little ones”?

Matthew 18:15, 21–35 15 ¶Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. … 21 ¶Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? 22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. 23 ¶Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.

25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. 29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Matthew 18:15, 21–35

30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. 35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. Matthew 18:15, 21–35

The Parable of the Unprofitable Servant Whom do the king and servants represent? King = Christ First servant = Us Second servant = those who may have offended us

1 Roman denarius (translated as penny in the KJV) = a day’s labor for a common laborer Today’s equivalent: $58, a day’s labor at minimum wage, or $15,080/year 100 denarii = $5800

1 Roman talent = approximately 71 lbs, or 1,136 ounces of gold The price of gold on March 28, 2015, was $ per ounce 10,000 talents = $1,361,859.52

What is our debt to the Lord? Everything

Have you had any experiences of forgiving or being forgiven? What can we learn from the king’s example in forgiving others? (Matthew 18:33) What are some of the dangers of not forgiving others? (Matthew 18:34-35)

Luke 10:25–37 25 ¶And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? 27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. 28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. 29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. Luke 10:25–37

35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. 36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? 37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. Luke 10:25–37

Verse 27 (compare Matthew 22:36-40) Why are these the two greatest commandments? Matthew 22:40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Jews and Samaritans There was considerable animosity between the Jews and the Samaritans at the time of Christ. Under normal circumstances, these two groups avoided association with each other.

Applying the parable to our lives, President Howard W. Hunter taught, “We need to remember that though we make our friends, God has made our neighbors— everywhere. Love should have no boundary; we should have no narrow loyalties. Christ said, ‘For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?’ (Matthew 5:46)” (“The Lord’s Touchstone,” Ensign, Nov. 1986, 34–35).

Who do you love?

How far should we/can we go in helping others? How far did the Good Samaritan go? What do you personally feel able to do? How can we love our neighbors when we feel overwhelmed with our own lives and problems? What are some ways that people need help today? What are some reasons we do not help others in need?

Mosiah 4: And also, ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of your succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish. 17 Perhaps thou shalt say: The man has brought upon himself his misery; therefore I will stay my hand, and will not give unto him of my food, nor impart unto him of my substance that he may not suffer, for his punishments are just— 18 But I say unto you, O man, whosoever doeth this the same hath great cause to repent; and except he repenteth of that which he hath done he perisheth forever, and hath no interest in the kingdom of God. 19 For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every kind?

Oil and Wine The Samaritan treated the injuries of the wounded man with oil and wine, both of which have medicinal value. Oil was used to soothe and wine to disinfect. Wine and oil are also symbolic of the Atonement of Christ (see Matthew 26:27–29 and the commentary for Matthew 26:36). The oil and wine used by the Samaritan can be seen as symbolic of the Christlike love he showed to the wounded Jew. Other aspects of this parable further remind us of the Savior’s atoning act. Like the good Samaritan, Jesus Christ saves those in need of help. He has compassion and heals the spiritual wounds of sin. He saves us from death. Jesus brings us to safety and employs others to help us. Through His Atonement, Jesus Christ has personally paid the price for our recovery. (Institute New Testament Manual)

The Savior taught us that we must: Humble ourselves like little children Forgive others, unlike the Unmerciful Servant, and Show charity for one another like the Good Samaritan