Message by Doug Bunnell, recorded live April 6, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church of Bellingham. Scripture read by Ann Hinz.

Mercy

Jesus calls us to live lives of mercy, live like the Samaritan.

• Why does the lawyer try to justify himself by asking, "And who is my neighbor?" What might this question tell us about his heart or motives?
• What qualities does the Good Samaritan demonstrate that the priest and Levite fail to show?
• What does the Samaritan’s compassion and care for the wounded man tell us about the kind of love Jesus is calling His followers to embody?
• When Jesus asks, “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” how does the lawyer answer, and why does he not say “Samaritan”?
• What does this passage teach us about loving others beyond our own social, ethnic, or cultural boundaries?
• What are some practical ways you can show mercy and compassion to those around you?
• What does the parable teach about mercy, and why is mercy a central theme in the life and ministry of Jesus?

Luke 10:25-37

25 An expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” 27 He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.”

29 But wanting to vindicate himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and took off, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan while traveling came upon him, and when he saw him he was moved with compassion. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, treating them with oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him, and when I come back I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”