In Need Of A Neighbor
Introduction
When we think of a neighbor, we generally think of someone who lives next-door to us, or at least, close by. Sometimes the term “neighbor” is used to refer to “a fellow man,” or one with whom we “associate on friendly terms” (Victoria Neufeldt, Editor in Chief, and David B. Guralnik, Editor in Chief Emeritus; Webster’s New World Dictionary Of American English, Third College Edition, published by Webster’s New World, Cleveland and New York; pg. 908). And in a broad and secular sense, those ideas are correct. However, from a biblical standpoint, being a “neighbor” means showing compassion and helpfulness to anyone God sends across our path, who is in real need.
The story of the Good Samaritan, told by Jesus in Luke 10: 25-37, is not merely a description of what a neighbor ought to be like. Though that fact is certainly a beneficial teaching to be gained from this passage, it is not the predominate truth I wish to set forth today. In actuality, this passage describes the grace, mercy, and love of our Lord shown to us in Salvation. This account parallels well with the condition of the lost sinner, and the compassion of our loving Savior.
It’s my prayer that we catch a fresh glimpse of what Christ’s love purchased for us on Calvary. May we also acquire a new appreciation and heartfelt gratitude for our heavenly Neighbor, Who was willing to come to our aid when we needed Him the most!
I. The Conspiracy of a Religious Scholar
A. A Cloaked Statement.
1. It was intended to trap Jesus.
Luke 10:25, “And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
2. It was ingeniously turned on the lawyer.
Luke 10:26, “He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?”
B. A Commandment Stated.
Luke 10:27-28, “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 neighbor as thyself. 28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.”
It is interesting to see how Jesus was always able to turn trick questions back on those who asked them. This lawyer was trying to lay a trap for Jesus, but found himself trapped by his own question.
Jesus was good at allowing people to answer their own questions. Knowing this man was proficient in the interpretation of the Law of Moses, Jesus answered his question with a question: “How do you interpret the Law on this matter?” The man then paraphrased two Old Testament passages, Deuteronomy 6: 5 and Leviticus 19:18.
C. A Convicted Sinner.
Luke 10:29, “But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor?”
This lawyer’s heart began to stab him with conviction, even as he quoted the all too familiar passages. The fact that Jesus said, “…this do, and thou shalt live” (v. 28), indicated that the man was guilty of violating this very commandment. The idea from what the lawyer quoted was that, “one must love…God and one’s fellowman in order to keep the Law properly” (John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, Editors, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, New Testament Edition, published by Victor Books, Wheaton, Illinois; pg. 234).
Having answered his own question, and in danger of appearing foolish, this lawyer tried to make it look as though his initial inquiry wasn’t the main question. So he asked, “And who is my neighbor” (v. 29)? However, this man’s response should have been, “How can I fulfill my obligation to love God and my neighbor?” not quibbling over the definition of neighbor. The problem was that, “Strict Jews would not acknowledge that any non-Jew was a neighbor” (Charles F. Pfeiffer and Everett F. Harrison, Editors, The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, published by Moody Press, Chicago, Illinois; pg. 1047).
II. The Calamity Recounted by the Savior
Luke 10:30, “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.”
The story that Jesus tells here is often referred to as a parable. However, it could have been an actual event that Jesus recounted for the purpose of getting His message across.
This man’s condition was not only a description of Israel’s spiritual condition, but was also a type of the lost sinner, suffering from the ravages of sin.
A. Two Heartless Responses.
1. A priest responded with calloused indifference.
Luke 10:31, “And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.”
Indifference can be fatal. Kitty Genovese was the young woman who was murdered in a New York residential section while at least 38 neighbors watched from their windows. During the course of the 30-minute assault, no one even telephoned the police. Studies have uncovered some surprising facts about these people. Interviews revealed that they were not totally indifferent, as many had suspected. The main reason nobody did anything was that each person thought someone else would take the initiative to get help. Source Unknown.
2. A Levite responded with only curious interest.
Luke 10:32, “And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.”
The priest and the Levite were servants of dead religion. In a very real sense, as far as salvation is concerned, dead religion can do nothing for the perishing, just as these religious leaders did nothing for their wounded countryman. Dead religion leaves the lost as it finds them: in the shame of their sin (“stripped”), broken (“wounded”), and dying (“half dead”).
B. The Heaven-Sent Response.
1. Help came to this man when his condition was most serious.
Luke 10:30, (He was stripped, wounded and dying.)
Romans 5:6, “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.”
Ephesians 2:12, “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in this world:”
2. Help came to this man from an unexpected source.
Luke 10:33, “But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him.”
John 3:16, “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.”
Romans 5:8, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Notice that it was a Samaritan who showed compassion on this poor helpless Jew. That is significant, due to the fact that there was a deep hatred that existed between these two groups. The Jews loathed the Samaritans because they were of mixed Jewish and Gentile heritage. Folks, Jesus is the Good Samaritan in this story. Just like the Samaritans, Jesus was despised and rejected of men (Isaiah 53:3), yet it was He who had compassion on us, and bound up our spiritual wounds, and saved us from certain death in Hell.
Did you notice in Luke 10:33 that the Good Samaritan “came where he was?” Oh folks, don’t forget the fact that you didn’t find Jesus; He found you. Jesus came into this world, “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). When Jesus found us, we were helpless—unable to lift ourselves from our sinful condition. We were the enemies of God, rebels against His love. Yet, it was this God who sent His Son to deliver us from our sin. Truly our help has come from an unexpected source.
3. Help came to this man from the Samaritan’s supply.
Luke 10:34-35, “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.”
Out of his own resources, the Good Samaritan bound up the wounds of this injured Jew, by “pouring in oil and wine” (v. 34). The “oil” is indicative of the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3: 5; I John 2: 20 & 27). The “wine” speaks of the blood of Christ, shed for our sins (Matt.26: 27-28).
Notice also that the Good Samaritan took this poor wounded soul to “an inn” (v. 34). The inn would have been a place of refuge away from the violence of the trail. It would have served as a haven of rest, if you will, a place of peace. Jesus said,
John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Notice further, three significant things found in verse 35. The Samaritan paid the tab for this man’s care (“…whatsoever thou spendest more…I will repay thee”). In like manner, Jesus paid the complete cost for our redemption. “Jesus paid it all, / All to Him I owe; / Sin had left a crimson stain, / He washed it white as snow” (Mrs. H.M. Hall, “Jesus Paid It All”).
1 Peter 1:18-19, “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:”
The innkeeper, into whose care the Good Samaritan relinquished the wounded man, is indicative of the Holy Spirit. Since the Samaritan had to leave, the innkeeper continued the care begun by the Good Samaritan.
John 16: 7 “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.”
Notice that the Good Samaritan, who is a type of Christ, indicated that he had to leave, but that he would “come again.” Folks, Jesus says to us,
John 14: 2c-3, “…I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
III. The Conclusion of the Scenario
A. The Lord’s Inquiry.
Luke 10:36, “Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves?”
B. The Lawyer’s Insight.
Luke 10:37, “And he said, He that showed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.”
Notice that this lawyer did not use the hated word, “Samaritan;” even though the very law, which he claimed to live by, had plainly said that he should love his neighbor as himself. And though Jesus had vividly illustrated who should be considered his neighbor, he still maintains his prejudice by referring to the Samaritan as, “He that showed mercy on him.” Prejudices and traditions die slowly.