Go and Do the Same
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
SCRIPTURE:
Luke 10:36-37 NLT - "Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?" Jesus asked. The man replied, "The one who showed him mercy." Then Jesus said, "Yes, now go and do the same."
OBSERVATION:
Luke chapter 10 tells us about an expert in religious law and Jesus. The expert, who knew, kept, and enforced the law, asked Jesus, “How do I inherit eternal life?” The expert was surprised by Jesus' answer. He was seeking approval from Jesus. The man was a religious follower of the law and wanted to be recognized as righteous—not like those who don’t. He, like many who fall into the trap of works—keeping the law to earn salvation—when Jesus was teaching that mercy over judgment is true salvation.
Jesus responded with a question that this expert obviously knew the answer to.
Luke 10:26-28 NLT - Jesus replied, "What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?" The man answered, "'You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.' And, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" "Right!" Jesus told him. "Do this and you will live!"
The expert thought he had Jesus. But the expert did not realize this was the Son of God, God in the flesh.
Luke 10:29 NLT - The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
Jesus shares the parable of the Good Samaritan, which challenges the core beliefs of this man and anyone seeking justification through the law. You can read the account in verses 30-36.
What makes this parable so interesting is that the man claimed he was truly loving God with ALL he was – heart, soul, strength, and mind. Yethe overlooked the most important thing: the very thingJesus was doing right before his eyes.
Luke 10:36-37 NLT - "Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?" Jesus asked. The man replied, "The one who showed him mercy." Then Jesus said, "Yes, now go and do the same."
OBSERVATION:
Luke chapter 10 tells us about an expert in religious law and Jesus. The expert, who knew, kept, and enforced the law, asked Jesus, “How do I inherit eternal life?” The expert was surprised by Jesus' answer. He was seeking approval from Jesus. The man was a religious follower of the law and wanted to be recognized as righteous—not like those who don’t. He, like many who fall into the trap of works—keeping the law to earn salvation—when Jesus was teaching that mercy over judgment is true salvation.
Jesus responded with a question that this expert obviously knew the answer to.
Luke 10:26-28 NLT - Jesus replied, "What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?" The man answered, "'You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.' And, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" "Right!" Jesus told him. "Do this and you will live!"
The expert thought he had Jesus. But the expert did not realize this was the Son of God, God in the flesh.
Luke 10:29 NLT - The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
Jesus shares the parable of the Good Samaritan, which challenges the core beliefs of this man and anyone seeking justification through the law. You can read the account in verses 30-36.
What makes this parable so interesting is that the man claimed he was truly loving God with ALL he was – heart, soul, strength, and mind. Yethe overlooked the most important thing: the very thingJesus was doing right before his eyes.
We are arrested by the fact that He [Jesus] completely shifted the ground of the question, and by this reply said, in effect, that the question as to who is a neighbor was not so important as the question to whom he was a neighbor. – G. Campbell Morgan.
The lawyer knew who the true neighbor was; yet he could not bring himself to say the name “Samaritan.” We might have expected him to be an enemy, but he was instead a neighbor who showed mercy on him… Obviously the lawyer knew that he could no longer justify himself. He did not have this kind of love, a love that went beyond what he wanted to think of as “neighbor.” – David Guzik.
The lawyer knew who the true neighbor was; yet he could not bring himself to say the name “Samaritan.” We might have expected him to be an enemy, but he was instead a neighbor who showed mercy on him… Obviously the lawyer knew that he could no longer justify himself. He did not have this kind of love, a love that went beyond what he wanted to think of as “neighbor.” – David Guzik.
APPLICATION:
Instead of asking who my neighbor is, perhaps we should love as neighbors first. Instead of being an “expert” in the law, we ought to be a “lover of God” with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. To follow Jesus's example and teachings – show mercy.
Instead of asking who my neighbor is, perhaps we should love as neighbors first. Instead of being an “expert” in the law, we ought to be a “lover of God” with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. To follow Jesus's example and teachings – show mercy.
The world would be a changed place if every Christian attended to the sorrows that are plain before him. – Alexander Maclaren.
Instead of grumbling, complaining, shouting, and demanding that the law be enforced, we should be reminded to love as Jesus loves and show mercy as He shows mercy.
Remember, the law was created for one purpose: to show that we need a Savior. These are not my words but those of one of the greatest “experts in the law” of all time—the Apostle Paul.
Galatians 3:24-25 NLT - Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith. And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian.
1 Timothy 1:15-16 NLT - This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners"--and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.
Remember, the law was created for one purpose: to show that we need a Savior. These are not my words but those of one of the greatest “experts in the law” of all time—the Apostle Paul.
Galatians 3:24-25 NLT - Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith. And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian.
1 Timothy 1:15-16 NLT - This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners"--and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.
The good news, not the law, is what brings salvation. In our efforts to love God with all we are, don’t forget mercy. If we do, we are no different than an “expert in the law.” Instead, let us be “experts in the love of Jesus.” Mercy triumphs over judgment.
PRAYER:
Jesus, make my heart an “expert” in love, not in the law. As I strive to love You with all I have, may I never forget mercy. Let me be neighborly, like the Samaritan—not looking for who my neighbor is or what others might think if I associate with them, but to love as You have loved me: unconditionally, full of grace and truth.
PRAYER:
Jesus, make my heart an “expert” in love, not in the law. As I strive to love You with all I have, may I never forget mercy. Let me be neighborly, like the Samaritan—not looking for who my neighbor is or what others might think if I associate with them, but to love as You have loved me: unconditionally, full of grace and truth.
Be an expert in love, not in the law.
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