Parables of Christ - Part 5

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The House of Bread · Voice Note For 20241007 - The Good Samaritan - Parables Of Christ - Part 5

The Good Samaritan

Luke 10:25-37 KJV

[25] And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? [26] He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? [27] And he answering said, 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 neighbour as thyself. [28] And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. [29] But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? [30] And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. [31] And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. [32] And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. [33] But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, [34] and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. [35] And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. [36] Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? [37] And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

https://bible.com/bible/1/luk.10.25-37.KJV

Note for 20241007

I know, you have heard this one before. At the very least, the term is known far and wide. But, I have come to know that people tend to know something for the sake of knowing, not necessarily for application in their lives. The terrifying thing is that this might often exclude those who may be physically your neighbor, even a family member. But, as we learned from the sermon on the mount, Jesus instructed us to even love our enemies. So, there's that... Remember, GOD is Love. And then, of course, still we have to contend with Matthew 25:40 that dispels any form of justification and excuse not to love. How can you say you love GOD, but hate those He loves? (John 3:16)

Knowing something is not the same as making it part of your life, in word and deed. This is where mankind fails most often, in application of God's Word.

But, the parable of the good Samaritan is widely known, and I think it is sometimes missed what the question was at the start. The question was on how to inherit eternal life, which Christ answered the lawyer with a question. Let's look at that interaction again.

Luke 10:26-28 KJV

[26] He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? [27] And he answering said, 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 neighbour as thyself. [28] And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

So, what must we do to inherit eternal life? Is it not this, first? Is this not what Christ confirms? Let us look briefly at another scripture that promises everlasting life.

John 3:16 KJV

[16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Looking back then; the scripture of today, what did Christ say? Can you believe in Jesus, but not what He said?

You see, there are many that believe that Jesus Christ is GOD'S only Begotten Son, they know that truth and they believe that. But, they do not believe in Jesus Christ, because they do not believe what He said, nor do they apply it to their lives. You can even do your best to apply that which Christ said but lack the love element required by the Law as the lawyer quoted here in the text today.

Friends, our Lord Jesus Christ is the Good Samaritan.

He died for sinners like you and me. He breached the gap between GOD and mankind, making atonement for those that fail to uphold all of the Law. All fall short of the glory of GOD. We are sinners saved by Grace. He paid the price, we are like the man the Samaritan found injured next to the road. Then, so many, after we have healed up, we go out and treat our neighbors like that wicked servant we read of in the parable on forgiveness, that demanded all that is owed to us to be paid back, while we were blessed with healing and the promise of eternal life.

Friends, Satan knows the Word of GOD. He is a legalist, like this lawyer, who is seeking an occasion to hate his neighbor. Satan knows how to come at you in such a way that your response will get you into trouble with the Most High GOD. So, don't think for one moment that he will not attempt to trick you in this way. How did he trick the woman in the Garden in Eden?

We, who believe in Jesus Christ and what He said and did, should exceed what is required by the law in righteousness. This Samaritan loved a stranger who was down on his luck and injured. How do we treat strangers, friends? Who does GOD love? Yes! Those that obey His commandments. Where we fail in righteousness, we have an advocate in Jesus Christ at the Right Hand of GOD the Father in Heaven. But what did He say he will say to those who are workers of iniquity? Yes! He will say to them, depart from Me.

What is it to become a new man in Christ? Surely it does not mean to carry on as you were before.

I know I write to believers in Christ, because non-believers will not read here. The Word of GOD is offensive to them, they have hate in their hearts. This requirement is for the believer. But, when we fail, we know that Christ is our Savior. When we fall, He will pick us up and care for us, and usually it is by such a good Samaritan as we read of here in the text? What happens to those in distress, if the believer does not love his neighbor as he loves himself? Yes! Then we have become like those that passed the man in trouble by on the far side of the road. Can you see for yourself how we fall short in this? Everyone wants help, but so few are willing to give help. We have a list of prerequisites before we will help, hey? If we are the Body of Christ, which hands will reach to help? Did Christ leave us without instruction? Who will He find to have faith when He returns?

Oh! We are far too comfortable at this point. We live in a world that shouts, "me, me, me!" and so many of us sound just like that. Shall we not at least attempt to get it right before the Groom returns?

Selah, Shalom.

Verse of The Day

(YouVersion - Expanded from verse 21)

Proverbs 19:21-24 KJV

[21] There are many devices in a man's heart; Nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand. [22] The desire of a man is his kindness: And a poor man is better than a liar. [23] The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: And he that hath it shall abide satisfied; He shall not be visited with evil. [24] A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

https://bible.com/bible/1/pro.19.21-24.KJV