Who is my neighbor?

As discussed last week, Jesus tells the parable as an illustration that revealed the lawyer’s true heart condition. The lawyer had asked Jesus about Eternal Life and Jesus’ answer left him uncomfortable. The lawyer realized he did not love God perfectly, but instead of confessing his need, he tried to justify himself with how he loved others. Jesus gives the parable to show the lawyer that his love of neighbor was also flawed.

By definition a parable is “a short, vivid fictional story using figurative imagery to teach important truths.” Douglas Mangum, The Lexham Glossary of Literary Types (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014).

Synopsis of the Parable

The Parable of the Good Samaritan is one of the most well known of the parables and it is generally clear in its meaning. The main characters are the traveler, the priest, the Levite, and the Samaritan. The story line has the traveler being attacked by a gang of thieves who beat him, take his stuff, and leave him in a half-dead condition. Two other travellers pass by the man lying in the ditch and both of them refuse to help the wounded man and keep going. The third traveller to pass by the wounded man is a Samaritan. He not only stops and helps the wounded man, he packs him up and removes him to a place of safety at his own expense.

Jesus then asks the lawyer which of the three travelers proved to be a good neighbor to the wounded man. The Lawyer once again gives the correct answer when he names the Samaritan. Jesus then tells the lawyer to be that same kind of friend to others. Embedded in the context (remember the parable serves as an illustration for the lawyer’s attempt to evade his lostness) is the idea that this kind of love for others flows from a heart that has been redeemed.

Life lessons for application from the Parable

The love of Jesus is compassionate (Luke 10:33c)

The Samaritan had compassion on the wounded man. He cared about a stranger and went and helped him. Unlike the first 2 travellers, the Samaritan was not indifferent to the wounded man. He understood that it could have very easily been him in the ditch needing help. He was therefore willing to do what he could to help out another.

Jesus was not about serving Himself and meeting His own needs. “For even the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45)

throughout His ministry Jesus taught that those who live for self are headed for destruction, and this same idea surfaces in this parable as well. Believers are called to deny self and to follow Him. As Jesus had compassion on others and met their needs, so we too should have compassion on the less fortunate.

Having compassion for others naturally leads to the second principle:

The Love of Jesus accepts inconvenience (Luke 10:34a)

Parables are made up stories to illustrate a point and the characters are not real. It is impossible then, to know the reasons the first 2 did not stop to help the wounded man. We also don’t know the Samaritan’s agenda or how busy he was. The point, however, is that the Samaritan was the one who stopped and got involved.

The Samaritan inconvenienced himself to help the wounded man. He was the one willing to stop, possibly in harm’s way (the robbers may have still been nearby), and got involved in the situation. He probably had a plan that was interrupted by this tragedy, but he chose to meet the need in spite of the impact on his own life and plans.

Ministry is messy. Engaging in the lives of others comes with a price tag in the area of time. Following Jesus involves giving up control of our personal agenda. IF Jesus is God (and HE IS!), then He has the authority to interrupt our lives anytime He chooses. He does not need permission, and He doesn’t need to check our calendar.

NOTE: There will be times that we have obligations that must be met, and we truly do not have the necessary freedom to get involved. There will be times the situation is not safe, and then we run into the “so-called” emergencies that really aren’t - we must use spiritual discernment.

The Love of Jesus crosses boundaries (Luke 10;33b)

The ironic twist in this parable is the fact that the hero is a Samaritan. Both of the first 2 travellers were religious leader types and they are the ones that an observer would expect to help. Instead, the hero is a despised half-breed that would not be welcome among the circle of those listening to Jesus.

Each person is an image-bearer and is worthy of respect. We are equals at the foot of the cross (cf Galatians 3:28) and no one who follows Jesus has the right to look down on another person due to his or her ethnicity. socio-economic status, religious belief, or gender.

The Love of Jesus is lavish (Luke 10:34b-35)

The Samaritan uses his own resources in helping the wounded man. He applies medicine to the wounds, bandages him, sets him on his donkey, and then puts him up for a night in the Inn. He left money with the innkeeper so the man could heal and rest without having to worry about the next step.

What a picture of what Jesus does for us! He comes to us - He meets us at our greatest point of need and cleans us up. His Holy Spirit cleanses and seals us and heals us from the sin and vileness in our life. And then He provides for our future needs as well (cf 1 John 1:9; Romans 8:1)

Transition to the Table

As a family of faith we are preparing to partake at the Lord’s Table. I want us to consider the principles from this parable as reflected in how we relate to one another. Consider each of these from a personal point of view:

Are you compassionate towards fellow church members or do you find that you really don’t have much interest in the needs of others?

Are you willing to be inconvenienced when a fellow member has a need that you can meet?

Are you looking down on another church member because you feel superior to him or her in some way?

Do you share your time and talents and gifts with the congregation? Are you lavish with your church family or stingy?

We will have a time of response before observing the Table. Understand that Communion is an act of corporate worship. This is a time when we as the family of God come together in Unity of worship. Do not allow yourself to be a hindrance to the unity of God’s people.

For those who may not yet be IN CHRIST:

The take away IS NOT for people just to be nice to others in order to win God’s favor. The parable is an illustration that reveals that only when a person is rightly related to God will his or her life reflect these qualities. The Vertical precedes the Horizontal.

If the Holy Spirit is working in your life by convicting you of your need for Jesus, receive the free gift of salvation today.

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