The Answer to the Question
Luke 10:25-37
Introduction
I want us tonight to allow the Holy Spirit to open our thinking and get outside of our box
We are going to look at the parable of the Good Samaritan…many of you know this story and even taught it
We’ve been taught to be like the Good Samaritan
And we should do that AMEN… we should love the down and out; the hurting; the wounded
And even though this is a truth in the bible…really that is not what Jesus is teaching here and it is more than a parable and I want us to see that tonight
The title to my message is “The Answer to the Question”
Read Passage/Pray
Now in this passage, I want to tell you that the complete fall and redemption of mankind is laid out here
And if we will allow the Holy Spirit to show us, it will help us to be able to give THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION
Let’s look at it together as we begin…
Vs 25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
First part of the question “What must I do to be saved?”
Vs 26 Jesus replies with a question (read it) “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”
Vs 27 What was the lawyer’s reply? (read it) He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.
Vs 28 Look at Jesus’ reply (read it) “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
Vs 29 second part of question (read it) But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
So let’s stop for a minute and look at this…
The question then is “Who is the neighbor that I must love as myself in order to be saved?” DO WE SEE THAT?
So then Jesus begins with the story that we all know as the Good Samaritan
Vs 30 (read) In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.
A man (KJV “certain man”) from Jerusalem (heaven) to Jericho (earth)
Who is the man? The man is ADAM (Expound) – stay with me here…
• He fell into the hands of robbers/thieves
• Who is the thief? (John 10:10 “the thief comes to steal , kill, and destroy”)
• Three fold Curse
o Beaten (wounded – sick) – never intended by God
Wounded – Greek –heavy affliction/plague
o Stripped of garments
Raiment (KJV) – Greek = clothing of the soul
What was Adam clothed in before the fall? (Righteousness)
o Left-half dead (spiritual) – turn to Gen 2:17
Vs. 31 (read) A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.
The Priest represents “RELIGION” why did the priest pass by? Religion can’t help you (Expound)
Vs 32 (read) So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
The Levite represents “THE LAW” why did levite pass by? LAW can’t help you…it is only to point out sin but can’t save you from sin (Young Rich Ruler)
Vs 33 (read) But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.
A certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was and had compassion
How many of you know Jesus was on a journey? He had compassion on us
Jesus is the Samaritan here – He came from where He was – from heaven to earth
And saw Adam beaten, stripped, and left half-dead – listen you and I are Adam
Vs 34 (read) 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 Samaritan WENT TO HIM - bandaged up his wounds – by His stripes we are healed – he bore our wounds
Poured in him OIL and WINE – Oil representing salvation and wine representing the indwelling of the Holy Ghost
This is not the natural thing to do for someone who has been beaten…look Saints there is more to it here if we will look
The Samaritan (Jesus) takes Him to the Inn (church)
Vs. 35 (read) The next day he took out two denarii[e] 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.’
Two silver coins (two days wages)
• 2 Pet 3:8 “one day with the Lord is as a 1000 years; 1000 years as one day”
Gave the coins to the innkeeper…who is the innkeeper of the church? Holy Spirit – He didn’t leave us comfortless but left us His Holy Spirit
He tells the Inn Keeper “look after him and WHEN I return!
He is saying I have to go…I will be back…here is two coins (approx 2,000 years) I will return – ARE YOU SEEING THIS TONIGHT?
I have to depart – Jesus ascended to the Father – but one day He will return – approx 2,000 years – His Second Coming!
Hang on now because we still have to answer the question “Who is the neighbor that I must love as myself in order to be saved?”
Vs 36 (Read) “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
So, before we go any further…this is a multiple choice test…and most of us fail it miserably
The three choices Jesus gives to the question of “Who is the neighbor that I must love as myself in order to be saved?
1. The Priest
2. The Levite
3. The Samaritan
The man beaten, left half-dead is not one of the choices…but we have taught that we are to love the man in the road as our neighbor…go and do likewise
Vs 37 (read) The lawyer said “the one (Samaritan) who had mercy on him (Adam)
Jesus replied what? Go and do likewise
Did you see that right there or did you miss it?
THE QUESTION: Who is the neighbor that I must love as myself in order to be saved?
1. The Priest
2. The Levite
3. The Samaritan
THE ONE WHO HAD MERCY – in other words JESUS
The one you must love in order to inherit eternal life is JESUS
That’s the answer to the question!
Conclusion
• So tonight – I want you to know that being Religious can’t help you
• Observing the letter of the Law can’t help you
• The only thing that will help you to be saved – to inherit eternal life – is to receive what Jesus did for you as ADAM in the road
He binds up your wounds; clothes you in righteousness, and gives you life eternal
