Word@Work Luke172 - Luke 10:30-37
Published: Thu, 08/19/10
Word@Work from BeaconLight
MISSING THE POINT
Luke 10:30-37
In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half-dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he travelled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.' "Which of these three do you think was a neighbour 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)
The story of the Good Samaritan is well known even by those who have no interest in obeying Jesus. It is assumed to be a tale of good over evil and to teach that spirituality is best shown by those who help others irrespective of social preferences. And, in a small part, that is true. But it was not the lesson which Jesus taught to the religious expert who was trying to justify himself.
The theologian wanted to check that Jesus agreed with the current Jewish view that those who fully obeyed God would inherit eternal life, and those who did not, would not. So Jesus told the story about a despised half-caste Samaritan who showed mercy, in comparison to Jewish religious officials who ignored the plight of the injured man. The definition of 'neighbour' was now clear. If you cannot show mercy, there is no relationship. But if mercy flows, a relationship has already started.
Jesus' mission was to enable people to have a relationship with Father God, not based on people simply obeying the finer points of the Law (nobody can do that), but by receiving the mercy which is offered through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ (www.crosscheck.org.uk). It is mercy which marks our relationship with God, and once we have received mercy, we can also be merciful to others (1 Timothy 1:16). That is still the case. It marks our understanding of God, grace, sin, forgiveness, obedience and service. So try doing a 'mercy check' on yourself today; it is a useful measure of your relationship with the Lord.
Prayer: Holy Lord. I know that I am a sinner and that I have no rights at all before You. My only proper expectation is to suffer under Your judgement. But I thank You that You have shown mercy to me, in revealing the purpose of Christ's death to cover the penalty of my sins. Thank You that I am accepted, not because of my goodness but because of Your mercy and grace. Please help me to be so thankful that my life is characterised by mercy towards other sinners, and my daily prayer that they too will receive Your mercy. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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The story of the Good Samaritan is well known even by those who have no interest in obeying Jesus. It is assumed to be a tale of good over evil and to teach that spirituality is best shown by those who help others irrespective of social preferences. And, in a small part, that is true. But it was not the lesson which Jesus taught to the religious expert who was trying to justify himself.
The theologian wanted to check that Jesus agreed with the current Jewish view that those who fully obeyed God would inherit eternal life, and those who did not, would not. So Jesus told the story about a despised half-caste Samaritan who showed mercy, in comparison to Jewish religious officials who ignored the plight of the injured man. The definition of 'neighbour' was now clear. If you cannot show mercy, there is no relationship. But if mercy flows, a relationship has already started.
Jesus' mission was to enable people to have a relationship with Father God, not based on people simply obeying the finer points of the Law (nobody can do that), but by receiving the mercy which is offered through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ (www.crosscheck.org.uk). It is mercy which marks our relationship with God, and once we have received mercy, we can also be merciful to others (1 Timothy 1:16). That is still the case. It marks our understanding of God, grace, sin, forgiveness, obedience and service. So try doing a 'mercy check' on yourself today; it is a useful measure of your relationship with the Lord.
Prayer: Holy Lord. I know that I am a sinner and that I have no rights at all before You. My only proper expectation is to suffer under Your judgement. But I thank You that You have shown mercy to me, in revealing the purpose of Christ's death to cover the penalty of my sins. Thank You that I am accepted, not because of my goodness but because of Your mercy and grace. Please help me to be so thankful that my life is characterised by mercy towards other sinners, and my daily prayer that they too will receive Your mercy. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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