Luke 10:25-37

Introduction:

1. Loving God and our neighbors is easier said than done.

2. This passage proves how easily we may understand discipleship conceptually while failing to apply it practically.

Discussion:

I. The Setting

A. The inquirer was an expert in Moses’ Law (vv. 25-28; Deuteronomy 6:5; 11:13; Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 22:37-39).

B. He wanted to limit its application to certain people of his choosing, but Jesus would not allow it (vs. 29).

II. The Characters

A. The victim and his assailants (vs. 30).

B. Two indifferent religious elitists (vv. 31-32)

C. A despised but compassionate Samaritan (vv. 33-35)

III. The Application

A. The Samaritan knew nothing of the victim’s social status, race, ethnicity, wealth or poverty, moral condition, etc.

1. Pious Jews had nothing to do with outsiders or sinners (Matthew 9:9-13; Luke 7:36-39; 18:9-14; John 4:9; Acts 10:28; 11:1-3).

2. This parable dubbed every person in need our neighbor.

B. Being a Christ-like neighbor requires courage and self-sacrifice.

1. He risked his safety as the robbers could still be there.

2. He gave up his own precious and costly supplies.

3. He gave up his beast and walked the rest of the way.

4. He sacrificed his time to care for him.

5. He sacrificed his money and promised more to secure him.

C. The lawyer who sought to justify himself was left without excuse.

Conclusion:

1. This lawyer exposed the difficulty of actuating the knowledge of God.

2. Jesus left him (and us) with no excuse for practicing anything less than the pure religion He died to establish (James 1:27; Matthew 25:31-46).