LUKE 10:25-37

KEY VERSE: “And he answering said, Thou shalt love the LORD THY GOD with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself” (Luke 10:27).

Before this lesson begins, JESUS has just appointed “seventy others...and sent them two by two before HIS face into every city and place where HE HIMSELF was about to go” (Luke 10:1). JESUS instructs them on their actions, their provisions, and their mission to those who received them. HE also told them what to do if they are not received in any city they enter, “The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against you” (vv.2-16). When the seventy returned with their report, JESUS saw by their reaction to what had taken place in HIS NAME, that they still did not understand the POWER HE had given them. Instead of glorifying GOD, they were rejoicing in their “authority” and marveled at the demons’ subjection to it.

JESUS went on to pray to THE FATHER and thank HIM for having “hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes” (v.21). Then HE said to HIS disciples privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see the thing you see; for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it” (vv.23-24).

It is at this point that JESUS uses a parable to teach, in response to a question posed by “a certain lawyer” to test HIM, “TEACHER, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" (v.25). Before JESUS taught through the parable, HE turned the table on the lawyer by asking him to answer his own question, which he did.

This action by JESUS helped me to understand two things: first, JESUS knew that HE was being tested; and, second, HE also knew that the lawyer already was aware of what was written in the law. Then the lawyer proceeded to quote directly from Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18 when he answered, “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 neighbor as thyself” (v.27).

It was at this time that JESUS punctuated HIS actions by telling the lawyer that he had answered correctly, and that he should now go and do exactly what he already knows that he should do and he would live (v.28). Then JESUS used the Parable of the Good Samaritan to emphasize HIS message.

1. WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR? (Luke 10:25-32)

In verse 29, we find this lawyer trying to “justify himself” by asking JESUS “Who is my neighbor?” AS always, JESUS took advantage of this as every opportunity presented to HIM to pass on HIS WISDOM to HIS disciples, who were present after returning from a mission (10:17). JESUS uses as a main focus of HIS verbal illustration to make HIS point, “a certain man” who was a victim of thieves as he journeyed from Jerusalem down to Jericho. These thieves stripped the man of his clothing, after wounding him, and leaving him “half dead” (v.30).

As the Scripture continues, “...by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side” (v.31). Now, many scholars have tried to justify the priest’s actions based on the restriction associated with his position or office. For instance, according to Leviticus 21:16-23, those who served in the office of priest had to be without physical defects; and, Leviticus 10:8f. And 21:1-9 says that they were “forbidden certain practices.” Their duties were primarily associated with the offering of sacrifices (Lev. 1-7), but Lev. 13f. Tells us that they also “performed important duties in decisions about certain diseases, and in performing the rites connected with the healing of those diseases.”

This revelation made it difficult for me to understand how this “certain priest” could pass by and not stop to see if he could render some assistance to this man, especially since it was part of his “appointed duty.”

However, further research explains that not only are their duties to be carried out in the sanctuary, but also, according to the scriptures, “they received various offerings” (cf. Ex. 29:27; Lev. 2:3, 10; 6:16ff., etc). I pray that they are wrong, but others speculate that the priest did not act because he probably wouldn’t have gotten paid for his actions. Yet I do realize that there are many who have the ability to aid others, but hesitate simply because it is not hteir responsibility or they are not being compensated for their deeds. Whatever the reason, the priest was not ‘moved’ to help this “certain man.”

2. A FRIEND INDEED...AN ACT OF COMPASSION (vv.33-35)

It has been said, “a friend in need is a friend indeed.” However, this next encounter between this “certain man” and the “certain Samaritan” makes me understand that a person who “has compassion” on another is what I consider a true friend.

JESUS did not identify the culture, religion or any other distinguishing characteristic about this “certain man,” only that he was in need of help. I believe that was because to make HIS point, it did not make any difference about the man’s background. He could have been any one who had a need.

What was important about his encounter with the “certain Samaritan” is the fact that, while others passed the man in need by, this Samaritan took the time to stop to render assistance to him and “had compassion.” This compassion caused this Samaritan to, not only “bandage his wounds,” but to put forth the extra effort to “set him on his own animal” and bring him to an inn to take care of him. Even as the Samaritan departed, he made sure that the “certain man” would continue to be cared for by paying the innkeeper the equivalent of two days wages for his care. Not only did he pay before he left, but also promised to pay any extra expense incurred during his absence.

JESUS was just teaching those in HIS audience to do as HE HIMSELF had done during HIS entire stay on this earth. According to Matthew 9:35-36, as JESUS “went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people...when HE saw the multitudes, HE WAS MOVED WITH COMPASSION FOR THEM.”

3. DO THOU LIKEWISE... (vv.36-37)

Finally, JESUS asked the listeners in HIS audience, “which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” The lawyer answered, “HE who showed mercy on him.” Then JESUS told him to “GO AND DO LIKEWISE.”

This is what the LORD requires of us even today. With all the hatred between races, cultures, and even nations for one another, I realize that it is not an easy thing to do. But if we want to be true SERVANT OF GOD, it is of the utmost importance that we start tearing down barriers that cause us to be separated from one another, especially since we only consider those who are just like us to be our neighbor. Even then there are few of us who are willing to “show compassion” for those we consider our neighbor.

We have already learned from our previous lesson in Matthew 25:32-46 that when all the nations are gathered before HIM, THE SON OF MAN IN HIS GLORY will say to those who ministered to the hungry, the thirsty, the sick. The imprisoned, the naked or the STRANGER, “inasmuch as you did it to the least of these MY brethren, YOU DID IT TO ME.” And to those who did not minister to the same “least of these,” JESUS tells them that they did not do it to HIM.

To those who ministered, JESUS will say “come you blessed of MY FATHER, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” And those who did not minister, “will go away into everlasting punishment.”

THINK ABOUT IT!!!!

Spiritually Yours.

Rev. Chris Lowe, Sr. DD