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The sermon text for this Lord’s Day focuses on one of the New Testament’s most famous stories: the Good Samaritan. It is a parable that Jesus told in response to the question, “Who is my neighbor?” The story itself is the second half of a passage that began by teaching us, love God with all your heart by loving and following Jesus. Love for God is expressed in love for our neighbor. The parable of the Good Samaritan tells us what that looks like.

Jesus was the itinerant preacher who lacked all credentials but God’s approval. As he made his way toward Jerusalem, a lawyer put him to the test asking, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus in turn asked him his interpretation of the Law regarding that subject. The Lawyer responded correctly, citing the great Shema (Deuteronomy 6:5) and Leviticus 19:18. This call for unconditional, unreserved love for God lays the foundation for our understanding of the Gospel.

In Luke 10:17-24, 72 of Jesus’ followers return from a preaching tour, rejoicing at the outcome. Jesus joins in with their enthusiastic joy, connecting their part his mission with the grand plan of God for the outcome of history. He also sorts their priorities, encouraging them to rejoice that the Sovereign Lord has made them His own; that they know God because they know Jesus.

For a second time, Jesus sends his followers out on a preaching mission. This time, he did not limit the ministry to the Twelve. Their goal was to announce the coming of the long-awaited Messiah in every city, village, and hamlet. The text serves as a precursor to the church’s mission. In the sermon, we will identify differences and similarities between their mission and ours.

As Jesus traveled through Samaria and on toward Jerusalem, he encountered three would-be disciples. They understood that discipleship meant following Jesus, but had not counted the cost. Jesus challenged their priorities, revealing the unconditional nature of discipleship. Follow Jesus. Nothing is more important.

The sermon text for this Lord’s Day contains an unusual story from the life of Jesus. On his way toward Jerusalem, Jesus was rejected by the people in the city of Samaria. James and John instinctively wanted them punished, but Jesus showed them mercy. Even so, the story develops with the idea of judgment lingering in the background. The prospect of righteous judgment gives mercy its full meaning.

The sermon text for this Lord’s Day (Luke 9:37-50) is made up of a series of short stories about the disciple’s failure. Taken together, these undergird the importance of faith that exalts Christ and excludes all selfish pride.

In the ninth chapter of Luke, Peter proclaimed with certainty the identity of Jesus as the Christ. Immediately, Jesus explained that he must be crucified, die, and raised. He further explained that those who trust him will see him returning in glory. In the text for this Lord’s Day (Luke 9:28-36), Jesus gave three privileged disciples a glimpse through the veil to his humanity. He showed them his glory.

Peter had just declared that Jesus is the Christ of God (Luke 9:18-22). In the sermon text for this Lord’s Day, Jesus began to explain the implications of trusting in him. “Take up your cross and follow me,” he said. To trust him is to follow him; failure to follow him has eternal consequences.

Luke 9:18-22 marks a climactic and pivotal point in Luke’s account of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. It clearly answers any remaining questions about the identity of Jesus. He is the Christ, Israel’s promised King. It also sets his course toward the cross that must precede the crown.