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Luke Chapter Ten

 

Luke 10

The mission of the seventy follows in chapter 10 a mission important in its character for the development of the ways of God.

This character is in fact different in some respects from that of the beginning of chapter 9. The mission is founded on the glory of Christ manifested in chapter 9. This of necessity settles the question more decisively of the Lord's relations with the Jews: for His glory came after and as to His human position was the result of His rejection by the nation.

This rejection was not yet accomplished: this glory was only revealed to three of His disciples; so that the Lord still exercised His ministry among the people. But we see these alterations in it. He insists on that which is moral and eternal the position into which it would bring His disciples the true effect of His testimony in the world and the judgment about to fall upon the Jews. Nevertheless the harvest was great. For love unchilled by sin saw the need through the outward opposition; but there were few moved by this love. The Lord of the harvest alone could send forth true labourers.

Already the Lord announces that they are as lambs among wolves. What a change from the presentation of the kingdom to the people of God! They were to trust (like the twelve) to the care of the Messiah present on the earth and who influenced the heart with divine power. They were to go as the Lord's labourers openly avowing their object not toiling for their food but as having claims on His part. Wholly devoted to their work they were to salute no one. Time pressed. Judgment was coming. There were those in Israel who were not children of peace. The remnant would be distinguished by the effect of their mission on the heart not yet judicially. But peace should rest on the children of peace. These messengers exercised the power gained by Jesus over the enemy and which He could thus bestow (and this was much more than a miracle); and they were to declare unto those whom they visited that the kingdom of God had come nigh unto them. Important testimony! When the judgment was not executed it required faith to recognise it in a testimony. If they were not received they were to denounce the city assuring them that received or not the kingdom of God had come nigh. What a solemn testimony now that Jesus was going to be rejected-a rejection that filled up the measure of man's iniquity! It would be more tolerable for infamous Sodom in the day that judgment should be executed than for that city.

This clearly points out the character of the testimony. The Lord denounces [1] the cities in which He had wrought and assures His disciples that to reject them in their mission was the same thing as to reject Him and that in rejecting Him He who had sent Him was rejected-the God of Israel-the Father. On their return they announce the power that had accompanied their mission; demons were subject to their word. The Lord replies that in effect these tokens of power had made present to His mind the full establishment of the kingdom-Satan cast out entirely from heaven (an establishment of which these miracles were only a sample); but that there was something more excellent than this and in which they might rejoice-their names were written in heaven. The power manifested was true its results sure in the establishment of the kingdom but something else was beginning to appear-a heavenly people were dawning who should have their portion with Him whom the unbelief of the Jews and of the world was driving back to heaven.

This very clearly unfolds the position now taken. The testimony of the kingdom rendered in power leaving Israel without excuse Jesus passed into another position-into the heavenly one. This was the true subject of joy. The disciples however did not yet understand it. But the Person and the power of Him who was to introduce them into the heavenly glory of the kingdom His right to the glorious kingdom of God have been revealed to them by the Father. The blinding of human pride and the Father's grace towards babes became Him who fulfilled the counsels of His sovereign grace through the humiliation of Jesus and were in accordance with His heart who came to fulfil them. Moreover all things were given to Jesus. The Son was too glorious to be known save by the Father who was Himself only known by the revelation of the Son. To Him must men come. The root of the difficulty in receiving Him lay in the glory of His Person who was known only to the Father and this action and glory of the Father which needed the Son Himself to reveal it. All this was in Jesus there on earth. But He could tell His disciples in private that having seen in Him the Messiah and His glory they had seen that which kings and prophets had in vain desired to see. The Father had been proclaimed to them yet they but little understood it. In the mind of God it was their portion realised afterwards by the presence of the Holy Ghost the Spirit of adoption.

We may remark here the power of the kingdom bestowed on the disciples; their enjoyment at that moment (by the presence of the Messiah Himself bringing with Him the power of the kingdom which overthrew that of the enemy) of the sight of those things of which the prophets had spoken; at the same time the rejection of their testimony and the judgment of Israel among whom it was rendered; and finally the call of the Lord (while acknowledging in their work all the power that shall establish the kingdom) to rejoice not in the kingdom thus established on earth but in that sovereign grace of God who in His eternal counsels had granted them a place and a name in heaven in connection with their rejection on earth. The importance of this chapter is evident in this point of view. Luke constantly brings in the better and unseen part in a heavenly world.

The extent of the dominion of Jesus in connection with this change and the revelation of the counsels of God that accompanied it are given us in verse 22 as well as the discovery of the relationships and the glory of the Father and of the Son; at the same time also the grace shewn to the humble according to the character and the rights of God the Father Himself. Afterwards we find the development of the change as to moral character. The teacher of the law desires to know the conditions of eternal life. This is not the kingdom nor heaven but a part of the Jewish apprehension of the relationship of man with God. The possession of life was proposed to the Jews by the law. It had by scriptural developments subsequent to the law been discovered to be eternal life which they then at least the Pharisees attached as such to the observance of that law-a thing possessed by the glorified in heaven by the blessed on earth during the millennium which we now possess in earthen vessels; which the law as interpreted by conclusions drawn from the prophetic books proposed as the result of obedience: [2] "The man that doeth these things shall live by them."

The lawyer therefore asks what it is that he must do. The answer was plain: the law (with all its ordinances its ceremonies all the conditions of God's government which the people had broken and the violation of which led to the judgment announced by the prophets-judgment that should be followed by the establishment on God's part of the kingdom in grace)-the law I say contained the kernel of the truth in this respect and distinctly expressed the conditions of life if man was to enjoy it according to human righteousness-righteousness wrought by himself by which he himself should live. These conditions were summed up in a very few words-to love God perfectly and one's neighbour as oneself. The lawyer giving this summary the Lord accepts it and repeats the words of the Lawgiver: "This do and thou shalt live." But man has not done it and is conscious that he has not. As to God he is far away; man easily gets rid of Him; he will render Him some outward services and make his boast in them. But man is near; his selfishness makes him alive to the performance of this precept which if observed would be his happiness-make this world a kind of paradise. Disobedience to it is repeated every moment in the circumstances of each day which bring this selfishness into play. All that surrounds him (his social ties) makes man conscious of these violations of this precept even when the soul would not of itself be troubled about it. Here the lawyer's heart betrays itself. Who he asks is my neighbour?

The Lord's answer exhibits the moral change which has taken place through the introduction of grace-through the manifestation of this grace in man in His own Person. Our relationships with one another are now measured by the divine nature in us and this nature is love. Man under the law measured himself by the importance he could attach to himself which is always the opposite of love. The flesh gloried in a nearness to God which was not real which did not belong to participation in His nature. The priest and the Levite pass by on the other side. The Samaritan despised as such did not ask who was his neighbour. The love that was in his heart made him a neighbour to any one who was in need. This is what God Himself did in Christ; but then legal and carnal distinctions disappeared before this principle. The love that acted according to its own impulses found the occasion of its exercise in the need that came before it.

Here ends this part of the Lord's discourses. A new subject begins in verse 38.

From that verse to the end of verse 13 in chapter 11 the Lord makes known to His disciples the two great means of blessing-the word and prayer. In connection with the word we find the energy that attaches itself to the Lord in order to receive it from Himself and that leaves everything in order to hear His word because the soul is laid hold of by the communications of God in grace. We may remark that these circumstances are connected with the change that had been wrought at that solemn moment. The reception of the word takes the place of the attentions that were due to the Messiah. These attentions were demanded by the presence of a Messiah on the earth; but seeing the condition man was in (for he rejected the Saviour) he needed the word; and Jesus in His perfect love will have nothing else. For man for the glory of God but one thing was needful; and it is that which Jesus desires. As to Himself He would go without everything for that. But Martha though preparing for the Lord which was right surely yet shews how much self is inherent in this kind of care; for she did not like to have all the trouble of it.

Footnotes

[1] In verse 25 of this chapter as well as in chapter 13:34 we have examples of the moral order in Luke of which we have spoken (p. 232). The testimonies of the Lord are perfectly in place. They are of infinite assistance in understanding the whole connection of the passage and their position here throws great light on their own meaning. Historical order is not the question here. The position taken by Israel-by the disciples-by all through the rejection of Christ is the subject of which the Holy Ghost treats. These passages relate to it and shew very plainly the condition of the people who had been visited by Jesus their true character the counsels of God in bringing in the heavenly things through the fall of Israel and the connection between the rejection of Christ and the introduction of the heavenly things and of eternal life and of the soul. Nevertheless the law was not broken. In fact its place was taken by grace which outside the law did that which could not be done through the law. We shall see this in going on with our chapter.

[2] It is to be remarked that the Lord never used the word eternal life in speaking of the effect of obedience. "The gift of God is eternal life." If they had been obedient that life might have been endless; but in fact and truth now that sin had entered obedience was not the way to have eternal life and the Lord does not so state it.

── John DarbySynopsis of Luke

 

Luke 10

Chapter Contents

Seventy disciples sent forth. (1-16) The blessedness of Christ's disciples. (17-24) The good Samaritan. (25-37) Jesus at the house of Martha and Mary. (38-42)

Commentary on Luke 10:1-16

(Read Luke 10:1-16)

Christ sent the seventy disciples two and two that they might strengthen and encourage one another. The ministry of the gospel calls men to receive Christ as a Prince and a Saviour; and he will surely come in the power of his Spirit to all places whither he sends his faithful servants. But the doom of those who receive the grace of God in vain will be very fearful Those who despise the faithful ministers of Christ who think meanly of them and look scornfully upon them will be reckoned as despisers of God and Christ.

Commentary on Luke 10:17-24

(Read Luke 10:17-24)

All our victories over Satan are obtained by power derived from Jesus Christ and he must have all the praise. But let us beware of spiritual pride which has been the destruction of many. Our Lord rejoiced at the prospect of the salvation of many souls. It was fit that particular notice should be taken of that hour of joy; there were few such for He was a man of sorrows: in that hour in which he saw Satan fall and heard of the good success of his ministers in that hour he rejoiced. He has ever resisted the proud and given grace to the humble. The more simply dependent we are on the teaching help and blessing of the Son of God the more we shall know both of the Father and of the Son; the more blessed we shall be in seeing the glory and hearing the words of the Divine Saviour; and the more useful we shall be made in promoting his cause.

Commentary on Luke 10:25-37

(Read Luke 10:25-37)

If we speak of eternal life and the way to it in a careless manner we take the name of God in vain. No one will ever love God and his neighbour with any measure of pure spiritual love who is not made a partaker of converting grace. But the proud heart of man strives hard against these convictions. Christ gave an instance of a poor Jew in distress relieved by a good Samaritan. This poor man fell among thieves who left him about to die of his wounds. He was slighted by those who should have been his friends and was cared for by a stranger a Samaritan of the nation which the Jews most despised and detested and would have no dealings with. It is lamentable to observe how selfishness governs all ranks; how many excuses men will make to avoid trouble or expense in relieving others. But the true Christian has the law of love written in his heart. The Spirit of Christ dwells in him; Christ's image is renewed in his soul. The parable is a beautiful explanation of the law of loving our neighbour as ourselves without regard to nation party or any other distinction. It also sets forth the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward sinful miserable men. We were like this poor distressed traveller. Satan our enemy has robbed us and wounded us: such is the mischief sin has done us. The blessed Jesus had compassion on us. The believer considers that Jesus loved him and gave his life for him when an enemy and a rebel; and having shown him mercy he bids him go and do likewise. It is the duty of us all in our places and according to our ability to succour help and relieve all that are in distress and necessity.

Commentary on Luke 10:38-42

(Read Luke 10:38-42)

A good sermon is not the worse for being preached in a house; and the visits of our friends should be so managed as to make them turn to the good of their souls. Sitting at Christ's feet signifies readiness to receive his word and submission to the guidance of it. Martha was providing for the entertainment of Christ and those that came with him. Here were respect to our Lord Jesus and right care of her household affairs. But there was something to be blamed. She was for much serving; plenty variety and exactness. Worldly business is a snare to us when it hinders us from serving God and getting good to our souls. What needless time is wasted and expense often laid out even in entertaining professors of the gospel! Though Martha was on this occasion faulty yet she was a true believer and in her general conduct did not neglect the one thing needful. The favour of God is needful to our happiness; the salvation of Christ is needful to our safety. Where this is attended to all other things will be rightly pursued. Christ declared Mary hath chosen the good part. For one thing is needful this one thing that she has done to give up herself to the guidance of Christ. The things of this life will be taken away from us at the furthest when we shall be taken away from them; but nothing shall separate from the love of Christ and a part in that love. Men and devils cannot take it away from us and God and Christ will not. Let us mind the one thing needful more diligently.

── Matthew HenryConcise Commentary on Luke

 

Luke 10

Verse 3

[3] Go your ways: behold I send you forth as lambs among wolves.

Matthew 10:16.

Verse 4

[4] Carry neither purse nor scrip nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.

Salute no man by the way — The salutations usual among the Jews took up much time. But these had so much work to do in so short a space that they had not a moment to spare.

Verse 6

[6] And if the son of peace be there your peace shall rest upon it: if not it shall turn to you again.

A son of peace — That is one worthy of it.

Verse 7

[7] And in the same house remain eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.

Matthew 10:11.

Verse 11

[11] Even the very dust of your city which cleaveth on us we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.

The kingdom of God is at hand — Though ye will not receive it.

Verse 13

[13] Woe unto thee Chorazin! woe unto thee Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which have been done in you they had a great while ago repented sitting in sackcloth and ashes.

Wo to thee Chorazin — The same declaration Christ had made some time before. By repeating it now he warns the seventy not to lose time by going to those cities. Matthew 11:21.

Verse 16

[16] He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.

Matthew 10:40; John 13:20.

Verse 18

[18] And he said unto them I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

I beheld Satan — That is when ye went forth I saw the kingdom of Satan which was highly exalted swiftly and suddenly cast down.

Verse 19

[19] Behold I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

I give you power — That is I continue it to you: and nothing shall hurt you - Neither the power nor the subtilty of Satan.

Verse 20

[20] Notwithstanding in this rejoice not that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.

Rejoice not so much that the devils are subject to you as that your names are written in heaven - Reader so is thine if thou art a true believer. God grant it may never be blotted out!

Verse 21

[21] In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit and said I thank thee O Father Lord of heaven and earth that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them unto babes: even so Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.

Lord of heaven and earth — In both of which thy kingdom stands and that of Satan is destroyed.

That thou hast hid these things — He rejoiced not in the destruction of the wise and prudent but in the display of the riches of God's grace to others in such a manner as reserves to Him the entire glory of our salvation and hides pride from man. Matthew 11:25.

Verse 22

[22] All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is but the Father; and who the Father is but the Son and he to whom the Son will reveal him.

Who the Son is — Essentially one with the Father: who the Father is - How great how wise how good!

Verse 23

[23] And he turned him unto his disciples and said privately Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:

Matthew 13:16.

Verse 25

[25] And behold a certain lawyer stood up and tempted him saying Master what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

Matthew 22:35; Mark 12:28.

Verse 27

[27] And he answering said Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy strength and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God — That is thou shalt unite all the faculties of thy soul to render him the most intelligent and sincere the most affectionate and resolute service. We may safely rest in this general sense of these important words if we are not able to fix the particular meaning of every single word. If we desire to do this perhaps the heart which is a general expression may be explained by the three following With all thy soul with the warmest affection with all thy strength the most vigorous efforts of thy will and with all thy mind or understanding in the most wise and reasonable manner thou canst; thy understanding guiding thy will and affections. Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18.

Verse 28

[28] And he said unto him Thou hast answered right: this do and thou shalt live.

Thou hast answered right; this do and thou shalt live — Here is no irony but a deep and weighty truth. He and he alone shall live for ever who thus loves God and his neighbour in the present life.

Verse 29

[29] But he willing to justify himself said unto Jesus And who is my neighbour?

To justify himself — That is to show he had done this. Leviticus 18:5.

Verse 30

[30] And Jesus answering said A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell among thieves which stripped him of his raiment and wounded him and departed leaving him half dead.

From Jerusalem to Jericho — The road from Jerusalem to Jericho (about eighteen miles from it) lay through desert and rocky places: so many robberies and murders were committed therein that it was called the bloody way. Jericho was situated in the valley: hence the phrase of going down to it. About twelve thousand priests and Levites dwelt there who all attended the service of the temple.

Verse 31

[31] And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him he passed by on the other side.

The common translation is by chance - Which is full of gross improprieties. For if we speak strictly there is no such thing in the universe as either chance or fortune.

A certain priest came down that way and passed by on the other side — And both he and the Levite no doubt could find an excuse for passing over on the other side and might perhaps gravely thank God for their own deliverance while they left their brother bleeding to death. Is it not an emblem of many living characters perhaps of some who bear the sacred office? O house of Levi and of Aaron is not the day coming when the virtues of heathens and Samaritans will rise up in judgment against you?

Verse 33

[33] But a certain Samaritan as he journeyed came where he was: and when he saw him he had compassion on him

But a certain Samaritan came where he was — It was admirably well judged to represent the distress on the side of the Jew and the mercy on that of the Samaritan. For the case being thus proposed self interest would make the very scribe sensible how amiable such a conduct was and would lay him open to our Lord's inference. Had it been put the other way prejudice might more easily have interposed before the heart could have been affected.

Verse 34

[34] And went to him and bound up his wounds pouring in oil and wine and set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn and took care of him.

Pouring in oil and wine — Which when well beaten together are one of the best balsams that can be applied to a fresh wound.

Verse 36

[36] Which now of these three thinkest thou was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?

Which of these was the neighbour to him that fell among the robbers — Which acted the part of a neighbour?

Verse 37

[37] And he said He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him Go and do thou likewise.

And he said He that showed mercy on him — He could not for shame say otherwise though he thereby condemned himself and overthrew his own false notion of the neighbour to whom our love is due.

Go and do thou in like manner — Let us go and do likewise regarding every man as our neighbour who needs our assistance. Let us renounce that bigotry and party zeal which would contract our hearts into an insensibility for all the human race but a small number whose sentiments and practices are so much our own that our love to them is but self love reflected. With an honest openness of mind let us always remember that kindred between man and man and cultivate that happy instinct whereby in the original constitution of our nature God has strongly bound us to each other.

Verse 40

[40] But Martha was cumbered about much serving and came to him and said Lord dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

Martha was encumbered — The Greek word properly signifies to be drawn different ways at the same time and admirably expresses the situation of a mind surrounded (as Martha's then was) with so many objects of care that it hardly knows which to attend to first.

Verse 41

[41] And Jesus answered and said unto her Martha Martha thou art careful and troubled about many things:

Martha Martha — There is a peculiar spirit and tenderness in the repetition of the word: thou art careful inwardly and hurried outwardly.

Verse 42

[42] But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part which shall not be taken away from her.

Mary hath chosen the good part — To save her soul. Reader hast thou?

── John ‘WesleyExplanatory Notes on Luke

 

Chapter 10. Love the Lord and People

What is Set for You
Eat It

I. The Extension of Missionary

  1. Send out Seventy
  2. Return with Joy
  3. Praise in Rejoicing

II. The Good Samaritan

  1. Have compassion
  2. Set on His Own Animal
  3. Brought to an Inn

III. The Choice of Mary

  1. Worried and Troubled about Many Things
  2. Sit and Hear the Lord's Word
  3. The Good Part
── Chih-Hsin ChangAn Outline of The New Testament
                             
The Good Samaritan (Lk 10:25-37)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. One of the more well-known parables that of "The Good Samaritan"
   - cf. Lk 10:30-37
   a. Hospitals have been named after the person in this story (e.g.
      Good Samaritan Hospital)
   b. "Good Samaritan" laws have been passed to encourage passers-by to
      help those in need
 
2. It has been common to apply allegorical interpretations to this
   parable; for example...
   a. The traveler represents man
who has left the heavenly city
      (Jerusalem) for the worldly one (Jericho)
   b. The robbers are representative of the devil and sin
who leave
      man dying in sin
   c. The priest and the Levite refer to the Law and its sacrifices
      which are unable to help
   d. But the good Samaritan is Jesus
who provides the help needed
   e. The wine represents the blood of Christ; the oil
the anointing 
      of the Holy Spirit
   f. The inn is the church
the inn-keeper representative of the 
      apostles; the two coins representing baptism and the Lord's 
      Supper
 
3. As interesting as such interpretations may be...
   a. Is it really what Jesus is teaching in this parable?
   b. Or does Jesus have some other lesson that He wants us to glean 
      from it?
 
[In this study we shall review the setting of the parable
and then 
offer some lessons that I believe are more in keeping with Jesus' 
original purpose in telling it...]
 
I. THE PARABLE AND ITS SETTING
 
   A. THE CONVERSATION BETWEEN JESUS AND A LAWYER...
      1. A lawyer stands up to "test" Jesus - Lk 10:25
         a. A "lawyer" in this context would be one well-versed in the
            Law of Moses
         b. The word "test" doesn't have to imply negative
            connotations; it may simply mean the man was seeking to
            ascertain Jesus' faithfulness to the Law
         c. But there are some implications that he was seeking to
            trick Jesus...
            1) He "stood" up
perhaps to draw attention to himself
            2) Later
he sought to "justify" himself with another 
               question; implying he was interested in more than just a
               simple answer to his question
         d. His question was similar to that asked by the rich young
            ruler (Lk 18:18):  "Teacher
what shall I do to inherit
            eternal life?"
      2. Jesus answers the question by pointing him back to the Law 
         - Lk 10:26
         a. In so doing
Jesus shows His own confidence in the Law
         c. In a similar manner Jesus pointed the rich young ruler to 
            the Law - Lk 18:20
         b. Keep in mind that at this time the Law was still in force
            so the answer was still to be found in it - cf. Mt 5:17-19
      3. The lawyer replies with a proper understanding of what the Law
         taught concerning eternal life - Lk 10:27-28
         a. He quotes from Deu 6:5 and Lev 19:18
         b. Both which Jesus quoted to another lawyer on a later 
            occasion - cf. Mt 22:34-40
         c. Upon these two laws
one to love God
the other to love 
            your neighbor...
            1) The entire Law was based
            2) Those living while the Law was still in force could 
               "live" (i.e.
be saved)
      4. But the lawyer is not finished... - Lk 10:29
         a. He desires to "justify" himself (was he embarrassed Jesus
            answered him so easily?)
         b. He asks the question which precipitates the parable:  "And
            who is my neighbor?"
 
   B. THE PARABLE ITSELF...
      1. A man travels from Jerusalem to Jericho
and is beaten - Lk
         10:30
         a. A distance of about 20 miles
         b. A dangerous road
known as "The Way of Blood" because of 
            the robbers
         c. Stripped of his clothing and wounded by thieves
he is left
            half dead
      2. Two pass by
doing nothing - Lk 10:31-32
         a. The first was a priest
the he second was a Levite
         b. Both of these were of the religious elite in Israel at that
            time
      3. A Samaritan comes by and shows compassion - Lk 10:33-35
         a. Samaritans were despised by the Jews - cf. Jn 4:9
         b. They were the descendants of those imported at the time of
            the Assyrian captivity (cf. 2 Ki 17:24-41)
         c. Yet this Samaritan who would have been despised by the Jews
            shows compassion
            1) He bandages the wounds
applying oil and wine (first aid
               in those days)
            2) He puts the wounded man on his own animal and takes him
               to an inn
            3) He gives the innkeeper two denarii (two days' wages) to
               provide care
            4) He tells the innkeeper to spend whatever it takes
and 
               he will repay him when he comes again
 
   C. JESUS' FOLLOW-UP TO THE PARABLE...
      1. He poses the question:  Which of the three proved to be a 
         neighbor? - Lk 10:36
      2. The lawyer replies with the obvious answer:  "He who showed 
         mercy on him."
      3. Jesus then admonishes the lawyer to do likewise 
      4. Notice that Jesus turned the focus of the original question...
         a. From "Who is my neighbor?" to "Who was the one that was
            neighbor to the one in need?"
         b. This indicates that Jesus sought to draw attention to what
            it means to "Love your neighbor as yourself"
 
[The purpose of the parable
in view of the context and the manner in
which Jesus applied it
is clear:
 
   Jesus teaches who our neighbors really are
and what it means to
   love your neighbor as yourself.
 
Here are some lessons that can be gleaned from the parable when its
purpose is kept in mind...]
 
II. LESSONS FROM THE PARABLE
 
   A. A NEIGHBOR IS ONE IN NEED WHOM WE CAN HELP...
      1. One might think that a neighbor is one with whom we share 
         affinities
         a. Such as being of the same race
nationality
or religion
         b. I.e.
anyone who is not considered your enemy
      2. Yet Jesus put such a concept to rest by using the Samaritan as
         an example
         a. The Samaritans were different in race
nationality and 
            religion from the Jews
         b. There was animosity between them - cf. Jn 4:9; Lk 9:52-53
         c. Though considered enemies
the Samaritan was helping a Jew
            in need
      3. And so it is that Christians are to show "hospitality" (lit.
         "love of strangers") - cf. Ro 12:13; Mt 5:43-48; Ga 6:10
      -- Your neighbor
then
is anyone in need whom you have the 
         ability to help!
 
   B. THE INCONGRUITY OF DIVORCING NEIGHBORLINESS FROM RELIGION...
      1. Of the three passers-by in the parable
the first two should
         have been the first to help
         a. The priest and the Levite should have been influenced by 
            their religion to help
         b. Indeed they were taught to love the stranger - Lev 19:
            33-34; Deu 10:17-19
      2. When they separated neighborliness from their religion
they
         became hypocritical
         a. For the priest would teach the Law
and the Levite would
            assist in the service
         b. But failing to "practice what they preach" showed how 
            shallow their devotion to their faith really was
      3. As Christians
we need to be sure to practice "pure and 
         undefiled religion"
otherwise we deceive ourselves - cf. Ja
         1:22
26-27
      -- What kind of religion do we have?
 
   C. THE COST OF COMPASSION...
      1. A willingness to cross social barriers
         a. As Jesus illustrated in using a Samaritan in this parable
         b. There should be no religious
racial
or national barriers
            to showing compassion!
      2. A willingness to take risks
         a. The Samaritan took a great risk by stopping to help
            1) What if the robbers were still near by?
            2) What if other thieves came by on this road known as "The
               Way Of Blood"?
         b. So Christians are called upon to take risks - cf. Lk 6:30
            1) How do we know people won't take advantage of our 
               generosity?
            2) Perhaps this is an area where we need to have faith in
               God
      3. A willingness to set aside busy schedules
         a. The Samaritan was on a journey
but took the time to stop
            and care for the man
         b. Jesus taught us to take the time to show compassion even 
            when forced - Mt 5:41
            1) The first mile may have been forced
            2) But the second mile was one to be given out of love
      4. A willingness to make sacrifices
         a. The Samaritan sacrificed more than just time and energy
            1) He used some of his own provisions - Lk 10:34
            2) He even offered an open-ended agreement to provide for 
               his help - Lk 10:35
         b. Jesus taught His disciples to be willing to make sacrifices
            - Lk 6:29-30
34-35
         c. In so doing
we are truly followers of God and walking in 
            love - Ep 5:1-2
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. With the parable of "The Good Samaritan"
we are challenged to a 
   higher standard of love
   a. Higher in that the definition of "neighbor" is more inclusive
   b. Higher in that the definition of "compassion" is greater
 
2. This should not be surprising in light of what Jesus told His 
   disciples earlier:
 
   "For I say to you
that unless your righteousness exceeds the
   righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees
you will by no means
   enter the kingdom of heaven." (Mat 5:20)
 
3. What is your righteousness like?  That of the priest and Levite
or
   of the Samaritan?
   a. Only as we emulate the example of the good Samaritan
can it be
      said that our righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and 
      Pharisees!
   b. Only then do we have the assurance of entering the kingdom of
      heaven!
   c. Therefore let us heed the words of Jesus to the lawyer who tested
      Him:
                         "Go and do likewise."
 
Of course
without the salvation that Jesus makes possible
no degree
of righteousness is possible... - cf. Ac 2:36-38; 22:16

 

--《Executable Outlines