Gospel Meeting 17/09/2017

Luke’s Gospel ch10 vs25 – 37.

Jesus Christ is the best ever teacher and story teller!

Always best prepared and presented to those who were within hearing, but also knowing His words were to be recorded and printed for the nations of the world.

This parable tells of a journey made from the heights of Jerusalem, to the depths of Jericho – the lowest city on Earth.

The road down has a colossal gradient, falling around 1km, and was a notoriously dangerous route for bandits – often resulting in death.

It was a reckless person who would make this journey alone.

The Lord Jesus Christ’s audience well knew these facts.

Although not clearly stated, The Lord is talking about a Jew making this journey, and he took a really bad beating from the thieves.

A priest was first to the scene, but despite recently worshipping God and knowing the scriptures –

“He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God”,Micah ch6 vs8 – he was forgetting to do justly, and be merciful.

He passed by on the other side.

Next along came a Levite, and he having looked at him, also passed by on the other side.

Then a Samaritan came and saw him.

The Jews and Samaritans hated each other.

When journeying, Jews would make a great detour around Samarian soil, rather than setting a foot inside it.

However, this Samaritan’s heart was not hardened – he went over to him and showed love, concern and consideration.

He had no thought of his own safety as he tended to his wounds.

He then set him on his own beast, despite the demanding road and took him to an inn.

The Lord Jesus then asked the question of a lawyer, who was seeking to justify himself as to who was his own neighbour, that he should love –

“Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?” –

He answered –

“He that showed mercy on him” –

And Jesus replied –

“Go, and do thou likewise”.

The Lord’s reply is much more significant – it is to all of us. Anyone who is in need and in our own life's footpath is our neighbour to love and help. Even if they have brought it upon themselves, have compassion to all.

Personal challenge… do I always act with compassion towards my neighbour?

The Lord Jesus Christ in two earlier parables – “The Sower”, and “The tares among the wheat”, explained their meanings and set the pattern for all the other parables to be interpreted.

One can now go deeper into “The Good Samaritan” parable…

A “certain one” left Jerusalem -  the place of peace with God, and going DOWN into Jericho – a cursed city under the judgement of God which should never have been rebuilt.

Who is the attacker – the murdering Devil and his fallen angels.

The Priest was the “sacrificial man”, who was unable to deal with the problem…

“The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming – not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeatedly endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship”. – Hebrews ch10 vs1.

However, there is someone coming who is able! …

“Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest no, but a body thou hast prepared me”. – Hebrews ch10 vs5.

The Levite represented the law and lawyers – but none were saved through the Law.

Law brings us the diagnosis of our sins, but cannot do anything about them.

The Samaritan “came where he was”…

The Lord Jesus Christ did not just look upon us from Heaven, but came here for us.

His heart went out to us all.

The Samaritan bound the wounds, pouring in oil and wine …

The Lord gave His sinless life and shed His spotless blood, a sacrifice on Calvary’s Cross, to pay the price of all our sins so that we can be forgiven from the penalty and eternal punishment we deserve for them.

The Samaritan showed all love and attention – he took the man to a hostel to be cared for…

The Lord Jesus Christ brings us into the care of His church.

The Samaritan was to return and see the man – “when I come again”…

Our glorious and risen Saviour, The Lord Jesus Christ is also returning – to take to His home in Heaven all those who have personally repented of their sins, and put their faith and trust in Him as Lord and Saviour of their lives.

Friend, if you have not yet done so, please ask forgiveness tonight, and invite Jesus Christ to come into your heart and life as your own Lord and Saviour.

The Lord Jesus Christ is the best neighbourly example of all! - 

"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief".
 - 1st Timothy ch1 vs15.