Ever been down and knocked out off your road and felt like you couldn't get yourself back up?
"Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth." ~ Mike Tyson
Do you feel like life, or people have punched you in the mouth?
Remember the good Samaritan who acted neighborly. He acted with unusual kindness towards a man who was repeatedly punched out.
Okay Kurt, so what’s the point of it -- this parable number 24? I'll get to that.
1.) What is happening around this passage both pre and post-parable? Works of service. rejoicing. Martha very busy and thus frustrated, as well as her sis Mary sitting close while listening to Christ spawned by her love.
“Faithful to my Lord’s commands, I still would choose the better part; serve with careful Martha’s hands and loving Mary’s heart.” ~ Charles Wesley
2.) Who Is Jesus Speaking To? Perhaps 83-85 people at least. To the returning 72, to 12, and to bystanders. At least one -- a hard-hearted self-righteous religious dude with the wrong motive.
(Sup with the 70 verses 72 sent out, Kurt? The King James, New King James, and the New American Standard Bible say that Jesus “sent forth 70 disciples,” while the New International Version, The Jerusalem Bible, and the New Living Translation reflect that Jesus “sent out forth 72 disciples.” Why the dif? See Nestle’s Novum Testamentum Graece, in there we find that the Greek word “hebdomekonta” coded 1440 in Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible..is translated “seventy.” However, immediately following this word is the Greek word “duo” in brackets duo translated “two.” Footnotes of several translations indicate that the Greek manuscripts are divided between 70 and 72 as the number sent out and there is no way to be sure of which one is the original. It's interesting that the numbers represent the number of nations in the world in Genesis 10, with the Hebrew text having 70 names while the Greek text has 72. When it comes to God sending out missionaries/ witnesses let's never forget that our Savior has a huge heart of compassion for everyone around the world though many reject him).
Been thinkin' about all the NT numbers of people impacted from around Jesus' ministry. You too? Do you remember Jesus feeding the 5,000, and how he sent out 70 believers to minister in the 35 locations (), then turning to the 12 chosen for special ministry (Lk. 10:23), and the 3 leaders in His inner circle. I figure at least 81 to 85 people were here to hear Him. How many others who weren't commissioned among the twelve or sent with seventy were there as well? It would appear that the Luke 10 context does not really have a huge crowd like in other places.
Man, I recall how later on after Christ’s physical resurrection He appeared in Galilee to some gathered believers--there were only 500 of them there. And when the Holy Spirit falls in the upper room in Jerusalem after Christ’s ascension, there were only 120 gathered there.
Can you think of the total (of possible) believers from Christ’s ministry through the gospel? By a head count, perhaps it's only 6 to 700 people, maybe a few hundred more. Jesus said, "The gate is narrow and few there be that find it.”
3.) Why is this specific parable of Jesus here at this specific time? Christ, so meek and humble, got asked a question regarding the topic of gaining eternal (zoe instead of bios) life. This had been very much on the minds of the Jews.
4.) How'd he grab their attention with his story? In His short story Jesus mentions a Priest, then a Levite.. and then what..who!? He tosses in a conversational grenade! It's an outsider, a foreigner, a (hated) Samaritan taking the right actions of love.
And I've got some more questions for you to muse on...
a.) What's The Greatest Privilege Of All From This Context (Lk. 10:1–24)? For us here? It's having your name written down in the Lambs book of life. See 72 were sent out and JOYFULLY returned due to their victory and success. Peopleward ministry is a secondary privilege. v. 10:20).
b.) What's The Greatest Responsibility From This Context (10:25–37)? For all, it's to obey God's greatest commandment which includes acceptable worship.. that which this evasive lawyer (an OT law doctor/expert craving a debate to trap) didn't do. He quoted accurately from Lev. 19:18 and Deut. 6:5 though. How can any of us rightly love God or our neighbor until we have God’s love and Son in our hearts (Rom. 5:5; 1 John 4:19)? If we reject Jesus won't keep the greatest commandment (Mark 12:28–34), how could we ever start to please God? Factoid: It's easier to love people when I love God most (in a right vertical relationship).
c.) What's The Greatest Blessing To Experience From This Context (10:38–42)? Simply being close with and in right standing with Christ. See him teaching truth to Mary as her sis was busy, distracted and upset. Fact: The submission of obedience under Christ's Lordship will precede optimum service.
Can You Recognize The Motivation Behind The Lawyer’s Question? To personally look good while embarrassing and tripping up Jesus.
Why Was Jesus Even Telling This Parable? A question was ask of Jesus regarding the gaining of eternal zoe life! Beyond mere bios life. It was to evangelize a proud lost man. It was to give him an honest answer to his dishonest question. Answering him in and of itself was giving grace to one at enmity with Him.
Can you see the main purpose of this parable yet?
It’s Been A Popular But Often Misunderstood Parable.
One early writer by the name of Origen said, “Here’s the interpretation of the story. The man is Adam. Jerusalem is paradise. Jericho is the world. The robbers are hostile powers, demonic forces. The priest is the law. The Levite is the prophets. The Samaritan is Christ. The wounds are disobedience. The animal is the Lord’s body. The inn is the church, and the Samaritan’s return is the Second Coming.” False, that interpretation has absolutely nothing to do with the point of this parable.
Nope, false. I’m not a Calvinist, but John Calvin nailed it in saying, “That (interpretation) misses entirely our Lord’s intention..”
The parable is not pointing us toward social justice, or paying more taxes for the poor, or towards Socialism, Markism, or Communism.
- It's not primarily about who the identity of "my neighbor is." It's more about: What must I do to inherit eternal life? How can I have this? ARE YOU a RIGHTEOUS loving neighbor, or TOWARDS WHO will you be a real neighbor to..with lavish tender limitless love? Yikes, included are enemies (as my neighbors).
- Yes, this indeed is Christ's illustration, a story about helping someone exhibiting unusual love to one in need (but many have misinterpreted that kindness as Christ's main point).
The Top Point Of It Is: Gaining zoe (eternal) life -- how exactly does one inherit righteousness and entrance? The (greatest) question and (greatest) answer here. That's what both initiated and concluded Christ's story. Jesus spoke about this zoe (eternal) life often, because it was often on the minds of the Jews in that day. "The God-kind of life!"
His illustration is very poignant and memorable. He tells a story of lavish limitless love toward a total stranger, a so-called enemy.
[See Luke 10:25-37 nkjv] “And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?”
(Jesus answers the man's dishonest question using the socratic method; i.e., answering a question with a question.)
27 So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’”
(The committed Jews considered this Keriat Shema to be the most important part of the prayer service in Judaism, and its twice-daily recitation as a mitzvah (religious commandment from Deuteronomy 6:4-9 with an emphasis given to the first six Hebrew words of this passage (Shema Yisrael, Adonai eloheinu, Adonai echad) and there’s a six-word response as an undertone (barukh shem kevod malkhuto le'olam va'ed]).
28 And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.”
The Law says: this do and live. Yes, this do and live, (but hey, I didn't, don't, and can't. Jesus did. But
God's Grace says: live and do. [in that order]. Yes, choose life. Live spiritually, be regenerated, be born again because Christ said to be. Jn 3:3).. and then you'll be able to do. In John 14:6 niv Jesus said “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.")
29 But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor (adverb, grk plēsion)?”
(This poser wanted to stay self-righteous, maintain the front, his facade, appear smarter than Jesus, and look righteous.
Please ask not “Who is my neighbor--who can I identify as that?” but instead ask “Am I really in right standing with God by faith, and to whom is He leading me to be a real neighbor to.. like Jesus would be and do?”)
d.) Believer, what compels you to serve (Lk. 10:1-16)? You daily desire to please the Lord, being obedient to His specific call! Do you prayerfully go back to him for all the details of how, when, why, and where? Understand His will and take a stand!
e.) Believer what compels you to rejoice (17–24)? When the disciples rejoiced over their fruitful ministry, Jesus rejoiced due to their names written down in Heaven. They were true believers! Pre-arrival there's a log of names there, yes, a name for every spiritually reborn person who is headed for our home in heaven. On earth the Father’s will was being accomplished in and through each of their lives. The fruitfulness was based on each having personal relationship with Christ, and that's how it is today for every real Christian.
The laborers are few, the wounded around us seem to have become many.. and how come?
It's a fallen world with a collapsing culture here in these last moments of the last days. The destructive consequences of sin have accelerated.
Dr. Luke (in his 9:57–62, Bible) explains why we see so few who care enough to act. Ministry in and through Christ here is pretty challenging and can become dangerous at times, but listen, being involved in His rescue plan is rewarding as well! The Holy Spirit is wooing today, will you respond to Christ's call for you?
f.) Believer, what compels you to pause (25–37)? Real neighborliness--it costs time ecetera to live for and like Jesus did. Do you pause to pray, to hear, to thank, to praise, to get your marching orders. Do you pause and help people as the Lord directs you, like when you see injustice, injury? Do you pause to mnister like the religious priest and the Levite didn't do? Do you look, shun and avoid all those wounded because you don't want to get involved? Listen, you are never more Christlike than when you emphathize.. feel another’s hurt and prayerfully..compassionately seek to help them.
g.) Believer, what compels you to listen up (38–42)? Please take time daily at the feet of Jesus to hear God's Word. He's the resserected living Word. Lovingly hear Jesus, ask. He doesn't owe anyone an answer (won't always.. right then), but it's still good to inquire of Him. Serving the Lord and serve others is vital, but more important is delighting your Lord by simply spending time alone with Him. Pray and hear on the go too. Are you too busy serving Jesus that you have no time left to love Him and listen to Him? How can you be best friends with someone you neglect to often be with? Impossible! Why become a religious workaholic? That'll never glorify Him. Make "Yes Lord" the top aphorism or motto of your life. Learn when to say "No" and "Yes" to people with expectations. The so-called enemy (a Samaritan) out caring for a the wounded man was the story's hero. A real rescuer.
The need is often the call, believer! If I saw a child step off the curb on downtown Commerce Street in the way of oncoming traffic, I really wouldn't need to fast and pray about whether or not I was called to children's ministry. No, just jump and grab the child to rescue. But if I got off a plane in a poor part of India where I was surrounded by very needy humanity, then Word and Holy Spirit-directed service is important (like anywhere).
All parables are salvation parables. No parable is an allegory but this one reminds me of the limitless lavish (selfless) love for enemies that Christ showed to me in 1977. It's sort of like the love this despised Samaritan showed, but remember God's is FAR GREATER!
This is Jesus' made-up story with made-up characters in it for His purpose (He put the 4 men on this Pass of Adummim), but think of all the excuses that religious people and leaders could use (like in our day) and really shouldn't:
“This road is far too dangerous for me to stop and help this bleeding man.”
“He might be a decoy for an ambush.”
“I just returned from perform my service for the Lord so how can I get all messy. What will my colegues think?”
“Was he panhandling or something--that's illegal! It's only righteous for me to get home and minister to my family.”
“Man, someone really should help that guy!”
“I don't want to get cerimonially unclean. I might be serving at the temple again soon, so I can’t get my clothes all bloody.”
“I don’t know first aid.”
“That’s a hopeless case. Maybe God is judging him for sin and I don't need to get in the way.”
“I’m only one person; that job is too big.”
“I can pray for him.”
“He probably brought it on himself via bad choices--was he traveling all alone son such a dangerous road?”
“Well, he never asked me for any help. Ye have not because ye ask not.”
30 Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
(They pummeled him repeatedly. The journey on a very dangerous road from Jerusalem it's downward to Jericho, TRUE. Jerusalem approximates 3,000 feet above sea level and Jericho approximates 900 to 1,000 feet below sea level. It's a winding, severe and dangerous 4,000 foot drop.
Jewish historian Josephus (A.D. 37–93) explained that the first-century road was approximately one hundred and fifty Roman stadioi, or about eighteen miles long.
There exists a real road there with frightening precipices that plunge 400 feet down into crevasses. Yes, the area is barren with big boulders. The caves and big rocks in this area allowed for hideouts for Arab robbers and highwaymen. Even four centuries after Christ, this area was a favorite place for Arab highwaymen to rob people and to kill. Yes, this pass was indeed known as the Pass of Adummim (as it's called in Joshua 18:17. That name is related to the Hebrew word for red, and blood. So, it was called a “bloody pass.” This route was a very familiar one--it's a treacherous journey for anyone.
Jesus casts His story between Jerusalem down to Jericho and the predictable happened to him. A robber-gang pounced on attacking him. They didn't just rob him taking his bag, they took everything and stripped him..and left him virtually naked.
They beat him to smithereens. And the term for "beat" here has the idea of repeated blows. They hammered and pummeled him until he was ditched half-dead in critical condition. Was in the process of shutting down, dying, was already half-way there. It could be a long time before anybody came along to help and there was no guarantee that someone would find him or rescue him).
[HOPE? 31] Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
(A verb is only used here in this verse in and the next verse. (The Priest totally ignores, NO LOVE FOR Man or God (if you love me keep my commandments). He passes on the other side. It's very strong language using the Greek term antiparerchomai. Anti, that’s going in the opposite direction. It means he goes against, yes, to relocate oneself completely opposite to the other side, with complete indifference. He shuns the dying man.
Is this story an inditement of all in the priesthood? Nope, though many priests in this day were legalistic, and very much so lacking in compassion.
-Yay, a priest, a paragon of spiritual virtue, the best of men, the godliest, the righteous, the personification of virtue. And this is ideal because a priest would know the Old Testament law.
-He surely would know that Leviticus 19:34 that says if you see a stranger in need, you do whatever it takes to meet his need.
-He would even know Exodus chapter 23:4&5 that says if you even find your enemy's donkey in a ditch, you make sure you rescue the man's donkey, let alone the man. And he would have taught this!
-He would have also known Psalm 37:21 stating that the righteous is gracious and gives.
-He, the priest would have known the words of prophet Micah 6:8 amp: "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you except to be just, and to love and to diligently practice kindness (compassion), and to walk humbly with your God setting aside any overblown sense of importance or self-righteousness?"
-He would have known that judgment would be merciless to the one who didn't give mercy. See James 2:13)
32 Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side.
A Levite came from the tribe of Levi. The priests were from the tribe of Levi too, but anybody who was in the "twenty-four courses of the priesthood" was not merely a son of Levi who was also a son of Jacob, but anybody who was in the priesthood was a son of Aaron. Levites did come from Levi, but not from Aaron and they were given some basic priestly duties. They were considered the lowest people on the pro-religious-priestly-ladder so to speak. They were called assistants to the priests, and acted as the temple police. They saw to the issues of the liturgy as they each practically aided the priests. Guess what.. they each had to know something about the law of God. They worked real close. Yes, were intimately acquainted with the overall function of Judaism with the studies of the OT lawyers and the scribes.
“I never knew a man refuse to help the poor who failed to give at least one admirable excuse. I believe that there is no man on earth who wickedly rejects the plea of need who is not furnished with arguments that he is right: arguments eminently satisfactory to himself, and such as he thinks should silence those who press the case. For instance, the priest and Levite were both in a hurry.” CH Spurgeon
[ENTER A HERO STAGE LEFT 33] But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
(Oil was to soothe and soften. Wine because of the fermentation was used to sanitize, to clean and disinfect as an antiseptic.
This verb.. compassion occurs 47 times in 44 NKJV verses. This exact greek splagchnizomai word is used only two other times in Luke [Lk. 7:13]). One commentator said: Samaritans NEVER USED this road, but is this road even identified by Jesus? Is there more than one path at that time? Christ put all 3 made up men there because he wanted to. It's His dramatic story for a purpose. See 2 Sam 15.23–16.14 which tells the story of king David and his followers who escaped Jerusalem along this same road after David’s son Absalom had declared himself king. King Zedekiah of Judah also used this road when he tried to escape the advancing Chaldeans in 586/587 B.C. [See 2 Kgs 25.4]. Some six hundred years later, Jesus himself traveled along this road when he advanced his ministry toward Jerusalem [Mark 10.46–11.1]. Jewish historian Josephus tells us that the Tenth Roman Legion used also this same road on their way to besiege Jerusalem in A.D. 69).
35 On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’
The account was left open making the Samaritan vulnerable to fraud and the two denarii was generous. At this time it would have paid for 28 to 64 nights stay and this non-lux-very public house open to all (pandocheion inn).
36 So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?”
37 And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
(..always, all the time to fulfill the Law. None can! This lawyer at this point who loves his hair splitting analysis regarding a neighbor, should have gotten convicted, real honest and repented saying: Have mercy on me Lord, such a prideful sinner. Please forgive me. I haven't loved God yet or my neighbor moment by moment as the law demands. I haven't shown perfect love at all times. I've been wrong. I've fallen short, wash me of my sin and give me your righteousness. Can't earn it. My self righteousness doesn't even come close to what's needed in my case.
I can't love like You do Jesus. I'm completley lost. Please forgive me. I now know the Father's free grace is a gift for all who will receive it by faith).
Law says: this do and live. Yes, this do and live, (but I didn't, don't, and can't). Grace says: live and do.
Yes, choose life. Live (spiritually, be regenerated, be born again because Christ said to be. Jn 3:3).. and then you'll be able to do.
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| Jericho |
We each need the loving Holy Spirit and His empowering, His enabling.. We need him living big on the inside to go love our neighbors.
Jesus says: “If you love Me, keep My commandments.. He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me.. If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.” John 14:15–24. By the Spirit, Jesus can empower believers to avoid sins of omission and commission and to keep His commandments as follow Him. “By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” 1 John 2:5–6.
“For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” Gal. 5:14
“Justice seeks out the merits of the case, but pity only regards the need.” ~ Bernard of Clairvaux
“Let it never be forgotten that what the law demands of us the Gospel really produces in us.” ~ C.H. Spurgeon
"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:45
"The greatest among you will be your servant.." Matt. 23:11
“Then the Jews answered and said to Him, “Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?” Jn. 8:48
Jesus modeled personal evangelism directly and indirectly here. Practiced what he preached.
See Lk. 6:35 "But love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; for your reward will be great (rich, abundant), and you will be sons of the Most High; because He Himself is kind and gracious and good to the ungrateful and the wicked." amp
What is Samaritanism?
What did Jesus mean when He said, “You worship what you do not know” in John 4:22?
What does the Bible say about selflessness?
This made-up story and person, the Samaritan, I love. Jesus rescues people but His love is greater! Sure Christ unselfishly still restores the beaten up, the hurting, the broken, the wounded.. hurting and dying people.. enemies of His who are in critical condition on more than one level.
The Samaritan was an outsider, despised by many people.
The Samaritan came after others shunned, totally avoided him, and failed to meet the need.
The Samaritan came before it was too late. It’s not good news if it arrives late.
The Samaritan sacrificed showing love -- he came with everything necessary to meet the need.
The Samaritan came right to the afflicted man.
The Samaritan gave tender care — thoroughly.
The Samaritan provided for future needs--life and wellness are important.
Pedagogical — what can we learn here? The righteous submission of obedience to Christ’s Lordship will lead a believer into a fruitful service of love for God and their neighbors (which prayerfully includes enemies).
This lost lawyer, the so-called OT expert in the law (Lk. 10:27) was quoting Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18. And he correctly understood that the law demanded total devotion to God and perfect love (all the time) for one’s neighbor which includes all enemies. (So where did Jesus talk about these laws elsewhere? See Matthew 19:16–22 and Mark 10:17–22).
Here are three principles about loving our neighbor:I.) Having a lack of love is often easy to justify, even though it is never ever right.
2.) Our neighbor is any human of any race, background, creed, or social standing.. who is in need and this includes our enemies. We are to pray for, forgive in our hearts, and do them good.
3.) Love means prayerfully acting to meet the person’s need as the Spirit directs you to. It's about putting someone else ahead of you. Wherever you live, needy people are close by. Sometimes there are more than one and a believer can address at one time, but there is no good reason for refusing to help those in need. We can preach to the masses seeing God meet needs, but for many needs of crowds, directed service matters. Let Jesus be Lord of all and lead you.
There is an attitude to choose when you see the needs, the challenges or the hurts of other people. Reread Luke 10 and discover...
- To the lawyer (a.k.a. expert in OT law) the wounded man was merely a subject to discuss, to debate over for hairsplitting analysis.. to trap, to seek to embarrass Jesus, to see Him condemned.
- To the bandits the wounded man was someone to use and exploit.
- To the merely religious men the wounded man was a problem to be avoided.
- To the innkeeper the wounded man was a customer to serve for a fee.
- To the Samaritan the wounded man was a valuable human worth being cared for and loved because that’s only right — that’s morally right!
- To the Jesus of the Bible all of them and all of us in need were worth leaving the glories of heaven with the Father for, worth taking rescuing actions for, worth dying for.
What’s the wise takeaway application? Get right before you get left, and from there.. it’s about directed service as the Spirit leads you in order to please and glorify God.
God wants us to know___?___. He wants us to do___?___. Wise application for the parable?
Know that enemies are your neighbors too. None of us can love perfectly all the time as the Law demands (including enemies as neighbors), or earn eternal life.
Be convicted by Christ’s Spirit, and by his top ten list? Why keep a hard lost heart when you can have a soft new one? Need to repent and believe in Jesus?
He wants you, not you trying to earn His salvation. He desires to use you as you live an empowered life of love, believers. Learn and practice the Jesus style of personal evangelism directly with open hearers and to those directly. Law to the proud, to the closed-minded, to the dishonest scoffers, and give grace to the humble who are open to truth.
A relationship of acceptable worship comes before any activity of serving. Do choose to live the (Christian) life kindly. Have directed service, and do tell, to win em). Be obediently proactive instead of passive. Be spiritual and practical in rescuing, but rescue those needing this.. not to earn points with God or from church folk, but because you want to righteously please the Lord. You and I want to be effective witnesses.
Remember clean living outwardly won’t gain you eternal life, cuz you’re not clean enough on your own. “Sin” means to Cross a line, to miss the mark but also means the fall short of a goal. We do all that as humans. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. So respond to Him. Repent and believe in this Jesus of the Bible. Hey, want some prayer? Need to come to.. or come back to Jesus?
