In today’s passage (Luke 10:25-37), we find the parable of the Good Samaritan. This is a familiar story throughout the world. The term “Good Samaritan” relates to compassion and kindness. The world understands the concept on a superficial level.
A Good Samaritan is referring to giving yourself with compassion.
There are hospitals and health organizations across the globe called, “Good Samaritan”.
There are parachurch organizations missioned to share God’s love in the good Samaritan model.
There are even Good Samaritan laws whereby if a person intervenes into a crisis and messes it up further, there are legal protections for the one acting as a good Samaritan.These are all fitting expressions of compassion. Even fallen sinners who see needs will give of themselves in compassion, because we are all made in the image of God. We are touched at the heart level when we witness stories of people coming to the aid of others.
This passage in Luke convicts and inspires, differently. When we dig into the context and learn more about the questioner, the context of the question, and the details of the people chosen as actors in the parable we can learn on a deeper level. Jesus speaks in parables to conceal the truth from those without eyes to see and ears to hear, while those who do have spiritual discernment will learn about moral implications.
Before we get into the details of the parables, we see that there is “the question”. Jesus tells the parable in response to a genuine question about how one can have an intimate relationship with God and inherit eternal life. If we are honest, there is no greater question or mystery to be solved for all of mankind. How can we have intimate fellowship with the Creator of the Universe?
Earlier in chapter 10 of Luke, we learn that Jesus had opened the ears and eyes of the disciples. And, now a new scene begins with:
The Wise Man (v.25)
Luke 10:21 tells us that the Father has hidden things from the “wise and intelligent”.
This lawyer is one of those wise and intelligent people.
We also know he is a legal expert; a scholar of Old Testament law.
He comes forward to debate religion; he is instigating a public challenge.
He has a hostile motive; he wants to find holes in Jesus’ religious arguments.
Jesus Christ (v.25)
Even today, we get excited to see debates. If our guy is prepared, we are excited to see him face off against an adversary. If he is not prepared, we are fearful.
The bad news for the lawyer is that he is going to debate God’s law with God.
Col. 2:3 – Christ is the treasure house of all knowledge.
Oops, the wise man is in for a bad day!
A Question of Moral Obligation (v.25b)
There is no more important question than how one can inherit eternal life.
The moral part of the question is, how shall our sins be pardoned before God?
To genuinely ask about salvation, we must admit and confess that we need to be saved from our depravity. We must admit our complete depravity and unworthiness.
The lawyer already knows the answer according to the Law, because he teaches and adjudicates the Law.
The Trap (v.26)
Jesus answers his question with another question.
Jesus’ question is designed to expose what the lawyer already thinks the answer to be, according to the Law.
By answering Jesus’ question, the lawyer will be put on the spot for the implications of his answer.
The Lawyer’s Answer (v.27)
He recites the two greatest commandments from the Law.
Duet. 6:5 – Love God perfectly.
Lev. 19:18 – Love your neighbor as you love yourself, perfectly.
The Decalogue was the requirement for Israel and according to the Law they had to live perfectly.
They were required under the Law to love God and others with complete devotion, selfless sacrifice, never failing to do so, and be perfectly merciful.
Jesus’ Agreement (v.28)
He tells the lawyer that he answered correctly, but adds that he must do it perfectly.
Of course, he could never do this. He would be like God and acceptable on his own merit; his own righteousness. This has never been done and never will be.
And we know, Gal. 3:21 that no one can be saved by the Law.
Then why give a standard that no one can achieve?
So that we know the standard of holiness without question.
So that our own hearts are exposed in comparison.
God’s holy living standards exposes our sin.
The Law teaches us that we cannot achieve the standard; we fail constantly.
We move toward Christ in response to our sin in faith for His solution.
Gal 3:22 the law imprisons us.
The Wise Man’s Worts Mistake (v.29)
He wishes to justify himself or in other words, he wants to prove himself righteous enough. Isn’t that just like us?
We argue with God’s Word.
We want to look for nuanced exceptions to the highest standards.
We want to lower the bar of perfection.
The lawyer is trying to redirect the conversation and evade:
Who fits the definition of neighbor?
He wants Jesus to affirm that there must be limits or categories for the Leviticus 19:18 “neighbor” command.
He is already grading his life on a curve of acceptability and he wants Jesus to say that God’s command has some bends or qualifications.
Jesus Answers in a Parable (vv.30-36)
Character #1 – The Victim (v.30) – The man robbed is a Jew.
Character #2 – The Worship Mediator (v.31) – A priest who is the overseer of Temple sacrifices.
He is a Jew too and he passes by on the other side.
He devotes himself to love with all his mind, heart, and strength by obeying the first commandment; that’s why he is a prepared priest.
He is exposed as one who is not giving time and love, selflessly.
Character #3 – A Worship Leader (v.32) – The Levite was the one who ordered the services in the Temple; he oversaw finances, resources, and chose readings.
He came close to the victim, then moved to the other side.
He sees the affliction and puts a barrier in place. The victim is not worthy of his love.
Character #4 – The Worship Outcast (vv.33-35)
Clearly on a journey outside of Samaria; his own area. He is vulnerable.
He uses his own supplies and tends to the victim.
He brings him to an inn and takes care of everything, including financial.
750 years before this time, Samaritans intermarried with the Jews and as a result they were to this very day:
Half-breeds and hated by the Jews.
Samaritans hated the Jews, too.
A Jew was required to refuse help if offered by a Samaritan.
The Samaritan was a shocking hero. The lawyer would have been stunned.
A Final Twist & Question by Christ (v.36)
He doesn’t answer who is his neighbor.
He asks which of these men proved to be the neighbor of the victim?
This is a stunning reversal from the lawyer’s question.
Jesus reveals that the lawyer has a love limiter; he excludes people from the command to love.
The moral is: Genuine sacrificial love is required for everyone without exception or qualification. It is emphatic and clear; no one is excluded.
Think about it… who do we exclude?
How about mean and evil people? How about the arrogant?
What about ethnically different? How about people that don’t speak our language?
What about the economically challenged? How about poorly dressed people?
What about the uneducated? What about unhealthy people?
Do we have a hatred for the lost? Do we share the good news of Christ? That’s how we love the lost!
What about some of our own families? What about taxing people?
What about the spiritually weak?
How about those who hate us? What about those who offend us?The Good Samaritan Parable is a story about God’s boundless compassion.
Are you the neighbor you should be?
Notice in v.37, the lawyer couldn’t even say, “The Samaritan”. He couldn’t even identify him rightly; as if he was afraid to exalt the hated Samaritan.
We are commanded to live a holy life and forgive all offenses.
We are commanded to reflect the love of the Father (1 John 3). Others see the love of God in us, when we love others.
We need to set aside prejudices and preferences.
This is how Jesus loves us.
Examine the way we love. Look for the character of God in your love. If it is not found, confess your sin and repent, beloved.
