The good Samaritan Pt.4

The conclusion...  Jesus rarely gave an illustration, example, or truth without bringing a challenge to those he was teaching or those who were questioning him.  This puts us in a position where we must, when confronted with the situations of life, choose to obey or ignore His teaching. This lawyer wound up with a rather pointed illustration on the inaction of those claiming to be "true worshippers" of God. 

Luke 10:36 - Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?

v.37 - And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

The Samaritan, though unacceptable to the "religious folks", was closer to the heart of God than they were! He was embodying the truth of I John 3:18 - 

"My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth."

There is a strong implication here that those who are unwilling to get "involved" are practicing a vain religion.  (Or as the "old folks" used to say, "talk is cheap"!) 

It's pretty clear that we ought to help where and when we can; and when 

we are unable to affect the situations of those around us for good, at least we can empathize with them. 

The good Samaritan Pt.3

    The true cost of being "neighbor", or "friend", is not measured in words but in deeds. The illustration given here by Jesus shows how lacking the Pharisees and lawyers were in their understanding of the Law; how the letter of the Law wasn't meant to keep them from the spirit of the law, i.e., showing compassion (Luke 10:33)
v.34 - And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
    First, the  man's inability to help himself dictated what a friend must do - go to them, for they cannot come themselves. (This is also a pretty good illustration for a those who are "lost", and why evangelism continues into this dispensation.)
    Second, he gave of his own supply to help, and even gave up his transportation, walking instead that the injured man might ride - more sacrifice on his part. And don't miss the part where he's "pouring in oil and wine" - he got bloody and messy, for this was the only way to accomplish the task!
    Third, he took of his most valuable resource - time - and cared for the man himself. (I have often said "no one cares what you know, until they know that you care." If our intention is to reach the lost of this world...) 
v.35 - And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
    Finally, he took again of his own resources for the future care of this stranger, providing him the means for a "full recovery". And this is one of the more practical illustrations for supporting a local, Bible-believing church; it becomes the spiritual "inn" for those recovering from the "beating" that the world - or even some religious groups! - gave them.

The good Samaritan Pt.2

    Luke 10:30 - And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

  v.31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

 v.32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.

 v.33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

The next part of our passage features a man devastated by circumstances beyond his control. (v.30)  The "religious" crowd - vv.31, 32 - the people with a reputation for knowing God, or all about God - has seen his troubles, and decided that it's too much trouble to stop and help; they don't want to "get involved". Getting involved means taking on responsibilities, wading through troubles, and getting dirty! They "don't have time" or have "other responsibilities" to use as an excuse to avoid helping. Maybe they have to attend a church service, or there's a "conference" somewhere they will be speaking at. Perhaps they think that the man's troubles were "self-inflicted" - maybe they figure he's been hanging around the "wrong" people. It's easy to pass judgement on others if you  don't take time to learn their circumstances.
v.33 - Here's a fellow with a bad background - he comes from generations of "idol worshippers" - yet he is moved with compassion towards a stranger in trouble!

The good Samaritan...

    Jesus was almost always at odds with the "outwardly religious" crowd, and they had no love for Him, either! Their questions usually had a bias toward self-justification, and His answers "skewered" them for their failed practices. They observed myriad rules in an attempt to show themselves "holier than thou". 
   Let's look at the passage in Luke 10:

^{v.25 -} And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
 v.^{26 -} He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
 v.^{27 -} And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
 v.^{28 -} And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
 v.^{29 -} But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
   

 Observe how the passage "plays out":

   v.25 -  The lawyer asks "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?" He has two things going on here: 1) he's trying to get Jesus to say something that will contradict the law and 2) he has a bias towards a works-based salvation.
   v.26 - Jesus turns the question back at his questioner.
   v.27 - The lawyer responds by quoting Deuteronomy 6:5, a passage well known to all of the Jewish faith. This is the response of a man who actually considered that it is God, not man, who provides the justification...
   v.28 - This is one of the times where Jesus agrees with one of those attempting to discredit Him!
   v.29 - But like most folks in love with their religion, he "reverts to form"...
   Real Biblical Christianity is not adhering to a set of rules or "following the teachings of Jesus". It is a vibrant, living, breathing relationship that transcends mere obedience of ritual and catechism!
   We'll explore the rest of this passage later. Jesus "brings it home" with a real-world example!
  

"Conscience"

    I have heard very few sermons or lessons on this subject through the years. I suspect this may have something to do with the verse in Scripture relating to the "defiled" conscience; so, inasmuch as it has been ignored, I will attempt to shed a little (Scriptural) light on this orphan subject, for in both my experience and belief, it is essential for both salvation and proper conduct. God willing, we will break this up into several posts, and you should feel free to comment; after all, weren't Baptists known for their stand in re the worship of God according to the individual's conscience?