Theme: Living A Life of Sacrifice and Service.
Topic: Serving with Compassion.
Main Text: Luke 10: 25-37.
Key verse: Luke 10: 36-37 – “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” (NIV).
Introduction:
The Parable of the Good Samaritan teaches some important lessons about grace, law, prejudice, and spiritual blindness. It also powerfully illustrates what it means to serve with compassion. When a lawyer, almost mockingly, asks Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29), he unwittingly opens the door for a profound lesson on love and service. The story describes a man who is attacked and left half-dead on the road. Notably, both a priest and a Levite, figures of religious authority, see him but choose to “pass by on the other side” (Luke 10:31-32). Their failure to act reminds us that knowing the law or being one of “God’s people” is not the same thing as doing it. In contrast, a Samaritan—despised by the Jews— sees the man and is “moved with compassion” (Luke 10:33). Compassion is not a function of race, learning, or social position. It sometimes demands crossing societal boundaries to reach out to those in need.
Q1.(1a) The lawyer knew the answer to his question before asking (v 25,27). What is the danger of knowing the truth of God’s Word and not doing it (hint: James 1:22-24)? (1b) Jesus said “do likewise” twice in this passage. What do you think had kept the lawyer from “doing likewise”? (1c) How can we, as believers, ensure that we “do likewise”?
Paragraph 2:
The lawyer was not sincerely seeking answers. Having failed to lock Jesus in a doctrinal trap, he must have felt a little foolish. Rather than admit that he could not earn eternal life (no one, other than the very Jesus he was testing, could fully obey the greatest commandment) and seek forgiveness and help like the publican of Luke 18:10-14, he doubles down to “justify himself.” His second question is about narrowing the scope of “neighbor” – an attempt to make the law “doable” (see Matthew 7:10-13). The Samaritan is more interested in showing practical love – living the intent of the law. He goes to the injured man, bandaging his wounds and pouring on oil and wine (Luke 10:34). 1 John 3:18 instructs us to “not love in word but in deed and in truth.” The Samaritan’s care for the man is selfless, extensive, and lavish. He leaves a deposit of two day’s wages with the innkeeper (a significant sum) and puts himself at risk of debt by leaving a blank cheque for a stranger’s expenses. Galatians 3:28 tells us that in Christ, there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor male and female, for all are one in Christ Jesus.
Q2.(2a) Read Matthew 5:43-44. What, apart from self-justification, do you think may be behind the lawyer’s question “…and who is my neighbor”? (2b)What is Jesus’ teaching us by having the Samaritan be the one to exemplify brotherly love (rather than the Priest or the Levite)? (2c) In what practical ways can we do likewise?
Paragraph 3:
The Good Samaritan serves as a model for how we are called to serve with compassion as believers. Jesus concludes by asking the lawyer which of the three was a neighbor to the injured man, to which the lawyer replies, “The one who had mercy on him” (Luke 10:37). This command to “go and do likewise” (Luke 10:37) resonates urging us to embody the love of Christ in our interactions with others especially those in need of compassion. Serving with compassion requires action and a willingness to step outside our comfort zones to help those in need. As we reflect on the example of the Good Samaritan, we should bear one important lesson in mind that the lawyer failed to grasp: the Samaritan’s actions were prompted by his inner heart condition. Billy Graham, when preaching from this passage, made the observation “Come to Jesus, find forgiveness in the cross…and then you have the ability to help your neighbor”. We need the Holy Spirit to “do likewise”…and we have Him, so there is no excuse for us.
Q3. (3a) Read John 10:10. Satan is the thief in this verse, similar to the robbers in the parable of the Good Samaritan. He is beating people, both believers and unbelievers, like the victim in our story. What is our responsibility toward them, and what practical things can we do to minister Christ to people (whether believers or unbelievers) and set them on the path of recovery and fulness of life in Christ Jesus? (3b) How will this study impact the way you serve?
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for teaching us about the need for us to show compassion and love to all who need it irrespective of their race or circumstances in life. We pray for your grace to be abundantly ministered to us to enable us to so do, in Jesus’ name, Amen.