What’s the point?

Be kinder, better neighbors?

Break down cultural barriers?

Fight injustice?

Love our enemies?

The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

Key Question

What must I do to inherit eternal life?

Love the Lord your God with all your

heart

soul

mind

strength

AND

Love your neighbour as yourself.

Problem #1: We want to test God.

Did God really say that?

Did God really mean what he said?

Will God really do what he promised?

Problem #2: We want to justify ourselves.

The exception clause. Doesn’t apply to me!

The blame game. It’s not my fault

I’m good. Look at what I have done!

Do you always

Love God perfectly?

Love your neighbour as yourself (without limits/conditions)?

Jesus Christ is the ultimate Good Samaritan

Sees us and stops

Takes us up and carries us along

Heals us

Pays the debt and frees us from slavery

Move from iJustify to tJustify

Change of status. Declared not guilty but fully righteous.

Through faith alone in Christ alone (Ro. 5:1-2; Gal. 3:24).

Good News!

Eternal life is guaranteed to God’s children.

Can’t earn it (Eph. 2:8; Titus 3:5).

Glorious gift of grace (Ro. 6:23, Eph. 2:8)

Adopted as sons and daughters (Ro. 8:15-17)

We are in Christ and he is in us (Gal. 3:26-27, Col. 1:27)

“Go and do likewise”

To love God (heart, soul, mind, strength)

To love others (sacrificially, no limits)

How? (Matt. 16:24)

Deny yourself

Take up your cross

Follow Christ

Are you able to testify?

“I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live but Christ lives in me.” (Gal. 2:20)