Brian Fisher

Grace Bible Church

“Near and in Need”

Luke 10:25-37

The most wise and godly teacher to have ever walked the face of the earth, Jesus Christ, confirmed that the essence of life is to love God completely and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, we seek to limit our obligations and justify our actions. Jesus corrects our false assumptions and our self-righteousness. The proper question, we learn, is not, "To whom am I obligated (duty)?" Rather we should ask, "Whose needs can I meet (opportunity)?" I prove to be a good neighbor when I feel compassion for the need and take action.

And a lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" And He said to him, "What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?" And he answered, "YOU SHALL 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 YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." And He said to him, "You have answered correctly; DO THIS AND YOU WILL LIVE." But wishing to justify himself, he said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

—Luke 10:25-29

One of the most well-known and loved parables. Also a bit confusing.

Is Jesus telling this man he can be saved by loving God and neighbor?

Common assumption in Jesus’ day – keep the Law for eternal life.

Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt.

—Daniel 12:2

What must I do to guarantee I will be among the righteous at resurrection?

“Do this” – present imperative; can anyone do this?

Law points out our deficiency

Lawyer seeking to limit his responsibilities; proud; seeks confrontation

You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD.

—Leviticus 19:18

Context of Lev. 19:18 is Israelite

Allowed to ignore Samaritans

When a stranger resides with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.

—Lev 19:33-34

Jesus convicting and drawing; not yet revealed His death, burial, and resurrection

“because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law {comes} the knowledge of sin.”

—Rom 3:20

To the rich young ruler (Lk. 18:18-23) - GO and SELL ALL...

For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one {point,} he has become guilty of all.

—James 2:10

At the same time Jesus is teaching a timeless ethical application of the Law

Neighbor: anyone who is near and in need; anyone within the reach of your care

“Who is my neighbor?” is not the right question. “To whom can I be a neighbor?”

A neighbor is someone who feels compassion and takes action

Jesus replied and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead. And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.’”

—Luke 10:30-35

I. Three reasons to avoid your neighbor

A. The mess

The Priest and the levite – Natural to assume they would provide help; they were the most spiritual men on the planet; they knew the law, taught the law, were from the lawyers club

Story gives hope; dashes hope; gives new hope

Why did they avoid the man? Text doesn’t say

Priest and levite would have been defiled if they contacted a dead man. If alive, the man could have died in their care. They must consider their reputation. If defiled, they couldn’t perform priestly duties.

Our neighbors’ lives are messy.

B. The cost

Looking at what the Samaritan actually did for the man, we get a sense of the cost in this particular case.

1. Financial

Used his oil and wine.

Spent two denarii, equal to two days wages which paid for 24 days room and board.

Samaritan promised to cover entire cost of care. Injured man had nothing (he had been robed). There was no promise to repay.

2. Physical

Traveled 17 miles with injured man. Descended 3400 feet in elevation.

Put the injured man on his donkey leaving him to walk the rugged road.

3. Time

How long will I have to help? When will this person recover?

C. The risk – The Pass of Adummim (related to Heb. word for “blood”)

“the red and bloody way” (Jerome 5th C. BC)

The road was narrow and dangerous.

Bandits would use one of their own as a decoy.

What have I gotten myself into?

You might go to all that trouble and no one ever notices or says thanks.

II. Three better reasons to love your neighbor – Luke 10:36-37

A. Anyone can love

Samaritan

Mt. 5:43-47; Love your enemies

We are called to be a supernatural community; anyone can be supernatural

Men and women can walk on water

Stop thinking about ourselves; consider others more important

B. Everyone owes love

I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.

—Rom. 1:14

I am a debtor; under obligation

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

—Rom 5:8

Go and do likewise

When we return love, we become like Jesus Christ

C. Everyone needs love

There is someone near and in need

Do you see the need? Jesus was looking for the need

Who is my neighbor? (Duty; what are the limitations)

A neighbor is anyone who is near and in need

To whom can I be a neighbor? (Opportunity)

A neighbor feels compassion and takes action

If you choose to love, you will be changed

If you choose not to love, you will be changed

Conclusion

What if I don’t feel compassion? ACT!

“Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?” And he said, “The one who showed mercy toward him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same.”

—Luke 10:36-37

• Through our community outreach initiatives: The definition of community we have chosen are the impoverished, neglected, distressed, and/or those facing immediate crisis in the Bryan/College Station area. Because of this we have highlighted a few ministries that reach out to such people. (Hope Pregnancy Center, Aggieland Pregnancy Outreach, Brazos Church Pantry, Caring for Others ministry, and Youth Impact). We believe that meeting a person’s physical needs provides wonderful opportunities to share the hope of the gospel with them. So we are dedicating our resources to ministries in the area that not only share the Love of Christ, but also the truth of his gospel.

• Through traveling the road to Jericho. There are a lot of people on the road around us…in the pew next to us, living down the street from us, working near us…that are in hopeless situations and need to experience the love of the Lord through us. Please don’t wait to be a part of a ministry to serve...or be asked to do something. A critical part of our walk with the Lord involves being proactive to love. Look around, open your eyes, and be proactive. Let’s abandon the service project mentality, and have a “go and keep doing likewise” attitude. Here’s how -Please take time to ask yourself if you know anyone who is: going through a divorce, really ill, having difficult financial situations, grieving, has a spouse in the military, etc. These people are in need of encouragement and your support.