We have been working through some of Jesus’ parables. This week, we’ll share the well-known parable of the Samaritan who showed what being a neighbor looks like (Luke 10:25-37).
It’s a timeless lesson, and I’m always reminded and convicted that only actions which are rooted in God’s love are of any real significance.
It reminds me of Loren’s “litmus test” for our view of how big God is in our lives; a little view of God supposes that we can do works in our own strength, but only a BIG view of God, results in our understanding of total dependence upon HIM to be able to love in a First Commandment sort of way!
Jesus tells us that all his commands (see the following list of the 613 commands (mitzvot) taught in the Bible), are wrapped up in one command: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind. And this lesson is about the second summary command, which is our memory verse.
Memory Verse: Love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 10:27
Handout: Who is my neighbor?
Narrative:
One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?”
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 man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.
“By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.
“Then, after two of his own countrymen refused to help, a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, which in those days, was about a whole day’s wage. He told the innkeeper, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’
“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.”
Jesus told this story to help us see that it is easy to want good things for ourselves, but very difficult to have a caring compassionate love for others – even people we don’t really know. That is why Jesus came to earth; He died on the cross, so that our sinful hearts could be made new. Those who put their faith in Jesus will, by His Spirit develop a love for God that is so big that we can love our neighbors as ourselves!