THE PARABLE OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN

 

The Parable of the Good Samaritan – (Jesus is "The" Good Samaritan) – Luke 10:25-37
Comforted (by God) to be Comforters (of others).   2 Cor. 1: 3-5

 

 "On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

 "What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you 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.'"

 "You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."

 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

 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 traveled, 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, took 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 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."

Jesus is the Good Samaritan (hated by the religious Jews) who rescued us from sin and Satan (the one who kills, steals and destroys- John 10:10) because of His great mercy and love. (Eph.2:4-7) He paid the ultimate price (His life) for our healing (our sin debt) and by His blood (not oil and wine) we are healed (saved). (Isa. 53:5) The Law (the priest and the Levite) couldn't save us.

He is the Source and reason we comfort others as He comforts us: "All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ."    (2 Cor. 1: 3-5 NLT)

Share a time when you felt half- dead on the Jericho road and Jesus came to you through the body of Christ.

Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."  Who are my "neighbors"? Who are the people in my life who are hurting and need God's comfort and help expressed through me? Close out your time by praying silently as a group asking the Lord who He wants you to go and "suffer with" and how He wants you to help. After prayer, if you feel led, share who the Lord is calling you to help.

 "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."

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