Luke 10:30-37
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
30 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. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two silver coins[a] 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.’
36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” BibleGateway.com
The Samaritan was not expected to be the neighbor in this story. He would be the least likely choice to represent a neighbor....however, that is exactly whom Jesus chooses to illustrate what a good neighbor looks like....the least expected.
In our sin, as this poor man in his distress, we have been attacked by the enemy, we have been robbed of our relationship with God and we are bruised, beaten and left dead in our sin. Many religious and self -righteous people will tell us either there is no hope for us and leave us in our condition or they will tell us if we just do certain things then we will overcome our own situation. But not God. God see's our condition and He takes pity on us, He comes to us and He bandages our wounds, pours oil and wine to cleanse our wounds of sin, he takes care of us and He pays all our debt for our sin, through His own Son Jesus Christ. God is Righteous, He is Holy, He is all knowing and He needs nothing.....He is the unexpected neighbor that has shown us Great Mercy because of His Grace.
And He tells us to go do likewise. Lord help me be the unexpected neighbor in someones life because of the mercy you have shown me.
36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” BibleGateway.com
The Samaritan was not expected to be the neighbor in this story. He would be the least likely choice to represent a neighbor....however, that is exactly whom Jesus chooses to illustrate what a good neighbor looks like....the least expected.
In our sin, as this poor man in his distress, we have been attacked by the enemy, we have been robbed of our relationship with God and we are bruised, beaten and left dead in our sin. Many religious and self -righteous people will tell us either there is no hope for us and leave us in our condition or they will tell us if we just do certain things then we will overcome our own situation. But not God. God see's our condition and He takes pity on us, He comes to us and He bandages our wounds, pours oil and wine to cleanse our wounds of sin, he takes care of us and He pays all our debt for our sin, through His own Son Jesus Christ. God is Righteous, He is Holy, He is all knowing and He needs nothing.....He is the unexpected neighbor that has shown us Great Mercy because of His Grace.
And He tells us to go do likewise. Lord help me be the unexpected neighbor in someones life because of the mercy you have shown me.
