Bible Study - Special - Love Gets Involved - Luje 10:25-37 - August 28, 2016

Bible Study – Special – Love Gets Involved – August 28, 2016

This is a special focus lesson.

Our focus scripture is Luke 10:25-37

Love for GOD includes love for others.

Political correctness is mechanically shaping our society. The key is for society to be shaped from the inside out by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Yet, our society is doing all it can to deny GOD simply because it does not understand the One True GOD as revealed by JESUS The CHRIST. This is normal because no one can understand The One True GOD intellectually. Understanding GOD requires a personal relationship with HIM through faith in JESUS.

Does GOD exist? The scripture reveals a truth regarding the spirit world and GOD in James 2:19:

19 You believe that God is one; you do well. The demons also believe-and they shudder.

Believing is one thing but putting into action based upon your faith in GOD is quite another. JESUS in HIS teachings gave us GOD’S prospective of what it means to be an obedient follower of GOD. Does this mean all a person has to do is to follow the Law and the Commandments and put them into action? 

Let’s explore!

JESUS was teaching a group of people. JESUS was likely seated along with those listening to JESUS. Doctor Luke wrote that:

Let’s read Luke 10:25-28:

25 Just then an expert in the law stood up to test Him, saying, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

In the group JESUS was teaching was a lawyer. He was likely a scribe who knew the law like the back of his hand. He stood up, first to draw attention to himself and then to ask JESUS a question in an effort to test HIM. JESUS quickly put the question back to the lawyer because HE knew that the lawyer knew the law and had an opinion.

26 "What is written in the law?" He asked him. "How do you read it?"

Lawyers like to talk. JESUS gave him the opportunity to speak and reveal his expertise in the law.

27 He answered: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.

28 "You've answered correctly," He told him. "Do this and you will live."

The lawyer gave the correct reply but what was missing? The key word is “do.” JESUS instructed the lawyer to apply what he knew. Does this mean a person can live such a good life that they are acceptable to GOD? Look back to verse 27 and notice the word “all” and act accordingly. I say try it. I cannot and that is why I need JESUS. HE is perfect and I am getting to heaven riding on HIS credentials based upon what HE did for me. HE paid, in full, the penalty for my sins and by placing my faith in that fact, I have experienced the gift of eternal life through the miracle of rebirth as confirmed by the indwelling Holy Spirit. I am still responsible for putting into action what I know as led by the indwelling Holy Spirit. As being born anew into GOD’S family, I live under GOD’S grace. I do not live a prefect life but I must confess my sins. Any un-confessed sin prevents me from having the complete fellowship and relationship with GOD through CHRIST as GOD intends. So I need to ask the Holy Spirit to search my heart to reveal any wickedness, sins of omission and commissions, in me that blocks my relationship with GOD. When revealed by the Holy Spirit, I must confess it or them and stop doing it. When I do, fellowship is restored. Salvation is never lost only the fullness of relationship is compromised. Once saved, always saved. A true Christian will never become a non-Christian. Just as no matter what you do as a child of your parents, you will always be a child of your parents. Once born, you will never become unborn. You may denounce your parents, change your name and move off to a distant place but you will always be your parent’s child. The same is true when you are born into GOD’S family through the miracle of rebirth. Read 1 

Corinthians 3:11-15 and notice verses 14 and 15:

11 because no one can lay any other foundation than what has been laid-that is, Jesus Christ. (Salvation)

12 If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, (Living)

13 each one's work will become obvious, for the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire; the fire will test the quality of each one's work. (Test)

14 If anyone's work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. (The great reveal)

15 If anyone's work is burned up, it will be lost, but he will be saved; yet it will be like an escape through fire. (Salvation is for all who have been born-again by placing their faith in JESUS The CHRIST.)

As a Christian, GOD never leaves you or forsakes you. A Christian is always secure in CHRIST. Believe it, accept it and live it in obedience because GOD loves you! Do not let Satan mislead you and try to make you believe that GOD has turned HIS back on you. You can always confess your sins, stop doing it or them and return to GOD. HE and HE alone forgives, cleanses and restores. Do it now because GOD’S desire is for you to be in fellowship and relationship with HIM!

Let’s read Luke 10:29-32:

29 But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

The lawyer was pleased that JESUS confirmed his response. The lawyer wanted JESUS to define “neighbor.” The Jews, in general, considered a neighbor to be a fellow Jew. Notice the patience of JESUS. HE let the lawyer pose the question that gave HIM the teachable moment. The group was likely eager to hear JESUS’ response. They likely thought they knew the answer but did they? Let’s read on.

30 Jesus took up [the question] and said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him up, and fled, leaving him half dead.

JESUS might have said, “Now that is a good question that our lawyer friend has raised, who is our neighbor, let’s explore.”

JESUS knew that robbers lurked along the road from Jerusalem down to Jericho. A man, likely a fellow Jew, was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho. The distance from Jerusalem to Jericho is about 17 miles. Down because Jerusalem is about 2,500 feet above sea level and Jericho is about 800 feet below sea level. It was a winding road with plenty of hiding places for thieves. The most likely Jewish traveler had likely been worshiping in Jerusalem and fell upon thieves/robbers who took his clothes, his money and beat him. He was near death and not able to care for his wounds. He was helpless and if no one helped him he would likely die. He had been stripped of all his means and had nothing to offer to someone to help him.

31 A priest happened to be going down that road. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

It so happened that a priest was going down the road. Since the priest was going down the road, he had already served his time in the temple. The priest was a descendant of Aaron and a pillow of the Jewish community. He offered sacrifices. Surely the priest would help the man who had been beaten and robbed!

Oh no, the priest crossed the road and passed on the other side of the road. He did not want to get near the bloody man. Some have postulated that the man may have appeared dead and the priest touching a dead body would have defiled him. Others postulate that the man appearing to be hurt was a decoy to lure others to him only to be robbed themselves. A priest was held in high esteem among the Jews. Yet, he passed by on the other side of the road.

32 In the same way, a Levite, when he arrived at the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.

Now a second pillow of the Jewish community came along and looked at the man and assessed the situation but he too passed on the other side of the road. Since the words “in the same way are used” the Levite was going down the road to Jericho. So he too had completed his duties at the temple. He likely wanted to go home.

The Levite was a descendant from the tribe of Levi but not from Aaron. A Levite was an assistant to the priest. He provided support and maintenance for the temple.

Now for the real zinger! The hero of the story was ---

Let’s read Luke 10:33-37:

33 But a Samaritan on his journey came up to him, and when he saw [the man], he had compassion.

Samaritans were despised by the Jews. Samaritans were considered half-breeds since they intermarried with the Babylonians. Most Jews would go out of their way to walk around Samaria so they would not even step foot on the land they occupied. JESUS referring to a Samaritan was not politically correct especially after painting the picture that a priest and a Levite would not stop to help this poor person, who was likely a fellow Jew.

34 He went over to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

The Samaritan had to touch the injured, bloody person. He risked his life by ministering to the needs of the injured person.  He was equipped with the things the injured man needed and he used them to care for him. He relocated the injured man using his animal to a place of safety, an inn. He stayed with the injured man to nurse him through the night.

35 The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, 'Take care of him. When I come back I'll reimburse you for whatever extra you spend.'

The Samaritan cared for the injured man overnight and paid the innkeeper to continue for his care as long as it was needed. He promised the innkeeper that he would pay for the injured man’s care if it exceeded the money he had already given to the innkeeper.

I understand that a denarii was considered a day’s wage. It was a Roman silver coin and likely would cover the man’s care for several weeks. The innkeeper accepted the two denarii and trusted that the Samaritan would pay him additional money if the injured man required it. Trust was placed in the Samaritan.

Now, the scene was set and JESUS put a very important question to the lawyer as we read on ---

36 "Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?"

The lawyer had to judge the actions of the priest, Levite and the despised Samaritan.

37 "The one who showed mercy to him," he said. Then Jesus told him, "Go and do the same."

Many speculate that the lawyer despised the Samaritans so much that he could not utter the name “Samaritan.” The lawyer referred to the Samaritan as “the one who showed mercy to him.”

Now for the point in the story to the lawyer and to all Christians put what you know to do into action – “Go and do the same.”

Most of us know what to do but it is the doing that is difficult. Prejudice can taint our ability to reach out to others who are in need both physically and Spiritually.  “Go and do the same!” Blessings!!!