Are Your Wearing Jesus Today?
Opening:
Illustration: Little girl afraid of thunderstorm, Father holding her tight told her not to be afraid, Jesus is with her. He is never far away. She says, "Yes, Daddy, but sometimes I need Jesus with skin on."
Many say they are Christians. Many say they love God. But, there are few that lend a helping hand. We live in a "what about me" society. Jesus made Himself available to others. He gave a listening ear. He showed compassion. And He said, "Follow Me." What about you?
Proposition: Are you wearing Jesus today?
Text: Luke 10:25-37
vs. 25 Lawyer is an expert in the OT Law of Moses. He knew all that the Law had to say. He is a religious scholar.
vs. 26 What is written? What do YOU know? Through His Word Jesus ask us:
What do you know--you should do in this situation at home
What do you know--how to react to people that hurt you
What do you know--about how your attitude should be
What do you know of my instruction to you for this life?
vs. 28 Lawyer answered. Jesus tells him you are correct! You know the answer!
vs. 29 BUT, he wanted to justify his knowing. He was looking for a way out--a loophole--to justify his actions -- why he hadn’t been loving his neighbor. He knew what the Law said BUT maybe, just maybe, it wasn’t really what he knew it to be. So, he asks the ?? WHO is my neighbor.
Do you find yourself looking for a different way around situations, other than what God is telling you? You know what He expects of you YET you look for other ways to justify your decisions? You really see what needs to be done, what is expected of you YET you look away. You see, but, you don’t want to see. Jesus says, when you know...go and do what you know.
Only difference between the 3 characters in the story that the text shows us is--their attitude. The critical diff. between Samaritan, Priest & Levite is their compassion--or lack of it.
The love men have for God is expressed by their love 4 their fellow man. We can say anything we want--but our actions speak the truth.
One translation says of love (MSG):
1 Co 13:1 If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.
1Co 13:2 If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing.
1Co 13:3 If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.
Prop: Are you wearing Jesus today?
The story starts with a certain man that was going to Jericho. We’re not told the nationality/race of the victim. Because it doesn’t matter. If he’s Jewish, German, American, Romanian....
Only thing matters: he’s a human being who’s badly hurt and in need of help.
The first two passing by, religious men, knowing the Law, you would have expected them to carry out the Law and help this man. They looked the part.
Religious on the outside--but not from the heart. They talk a good talk. Use correct Biblical words. Wear a Jesus pin. Have the fish on the car...
It’s only talk. They don’t walk the walk. They don’t go and do what Jesus has instructed.
What about you? Are you wearing Jesus today?
Priest: Sees him and passes by on the other side. Goes around! Makes a face, steps aside.
Levite: Replay! Passed on other side not to be obligated. Doesn’t inquire "Are you alive?" Doesn’t offer "I’ll send ambulance". He sees, but, doesn’t want to see.
Illus: Ever seen someone back into another car, it’s clear they hear the crunch, feel the cars bump and they don’t even get out of their car to see the damage?
They don’t want to know. They think if they don’t see it--they won’t be responsible. So they drive away.
Exactly what these two men did. If they don’t get too close, then they won’t know how much help this man needs. All they see is a tragedy and a need--but they don’t know how much need because they don’t want to know. They step around---go by it and look the other way-- they avoid knowing, thinking then they won’t have to help.
Jesus wants us to demonstrate love 4 our neighbor by showing compassion to one in need, as the Good Samaritan did whose on a journey.
There’s a saying when we see someone going strong in a direction, unaware of anything around them; "You look like you’re on a mission".
He had a destination, maybe a schedule. Could have ignored him. So he wouldn’t be delayed.
Saw him...felt compassion AND came to him. It is necessary to DRAW NEAR people in need, to offer comfort, helping hand; to evaluate the extent of their need.
Have two coats -- give them one.
Have loaf bread -- give them half.
Share your garden, a listening ear, time for the lonely, a helping hand.
Are you wearing Jesus today? Can people see Jesus in you?
The Samaritan saw, stopped and gave a hand. It didn’t matter who this man was. He saw that he was in need.
He used what he had--oil and wine from food supplies/ bandaged him; maybe tore cloth from his garment. He went out of his way (he stayed the night with him).
What he had...he shared. He gave what he had to give.
He gave some food. Some bandages. Some time. Some attention. Some money.
He gave of himself.
Jesus says: "Go and do the same".
Closing:
We now know who is our neighbor. Anyone in need. We’re told to go and do the same as the Samaritan.
Have compassion on those in need and ask God how you are to help them. Let them see Jesus in you. Let them know He does make a difference in a life.
Show them Jesus with skin on.
