Parable of the Good Samaritan

Luke 10:25-37

Lawyer

“Lawyer” sometimes termed “scribe”Professional teacher & expounder of the Mosaic Law and traditional sayings attached to itWhole life of people was ruled & guided by the LawLawyers important & influential

Expert Comes to Jesus

Question: “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”Don’t give this lawyer an creditNot interested in answer but asked to test JesusHe thought himself the Teacher and Jesus the Student

Jesus the Teacher

“What is written in the law?”Lawyer pleased to show off his expertise in the lawHe made a skillful replyDeclared the Law is summarized in the requirement to love God & man

Jesus the Teacher

“Good student!”“Do this, and you will live.”Jesus reply not only defeated the lawyer but smote his conscienceReplies: “And who is my neighbor?”

Attempted to justify himself

Jesus didn’t give him chance to respond: PARABLE of Good Samaritan

The Parable

A Jew went down a steep road from Jerusalem to JerichoBeset by robbers, stripped of garments, possession, & left for deadRobbers’ View of Life:

“What is yours is mine and I’ll take it!”

Priest & Levite

First to approach was a PriestSecond was a LevitePriest and Levite’s View of Life:

“What is mine is mine and I’ll keep it!”

Samaritan

A man of alien race & despised religion showed compassion

Bound up wounds, placed on own beast, brought to an inn, & paid for his care

Samaritan’s View of Life:“What is mine is yours. If you need it, it’s yours.”

“Which one proved to be a neighbor to this man?”

Jesus’ Instructions

“Go and do likewise”Jesus teaches that our neighbor is not only the one who “lives near,” but anyone who needs our helpThe law of love is not limited by rank or position, race or locationMust love God with all our heart