The Parables of Jesus - Part 7 [Notes]

Jesus was a master storyteller, and He constantly used short stories or parables to communicate spiritual truths to the crowds that gathered to hear Him. When Jesus' disciples asked why He spoke in parables so often, His answer was profound. He said that the same stories that served to open the eyes of the spiritually hungry would have the effect of blinding the eyes of those who refused to believe. By telling parables, the secrets of the kingdom would be revealed to Jesus' disciples, but they would be hidden from His opponents.

Join us this week as we dive into some of Jesus's most memorable stories through our new summer series, "The Parables of Jesus."

Today's Takeaway // Be the neighbor you need others to be.

Just then an expert in the law stood up to test Him, saying, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the law?” He asked him.“How do you read it?” He answered: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself. “You’ve answered correctly, ”He told him. “Do this and you will live.”
– Luke 10:25-28 (HCSB)

Our Lord sent the man back to the Law, not because the Law saves us (Gal. 2:16, 21; 3:21) but because the Law shows us that we need to be saved. There can be no real conversion without conviction, and theLaw is what God uses to convict sinners (Rom. 3:20).
– Warren Wiersbe

But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
– Luke 10:29 (HCSB)

Jesus took up the question and said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped Him, beat Him up, and fled, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down that road. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side. In the same way, a Levite, when he arrived at the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan on his journey came up to him, and when he saw the man, he had compassion. He went over to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on olive oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him. When I come back I’ll reimburse you for whatever extra you spend.’ “Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” “The one who showed mercy to him,”he said. Then Jesus told him,“Go and do the same.”
– Luke 10:30-37 (HCSB)

The road from Jerusalem to Jericho passed through a wilderness which was so notorious for robberies and murders that a portion of it was called“the red or bloody way...”
– M.R. Vincent (HCSB)

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many.”
– Mark 10:45 (HCSB)

In the same way, a Levite, when he arrived at the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
– Luke 10:32 (HCSB)

Priests served in the temple; their highest duty was to offer sacrifices. Levites assisted in the maintenance of the temple services and order.
– W.L. Liefeld

But a Samaritan on his journey came up to him, and when he saw the man, he had compassion. He went over to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on olive oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him. When I come back,I’ll reimburse you for whatever extra you spend.’
– Luke 10:33-35 (HCSB)

In 722 b.c. Samaria fell to the Assyrians, and the leading citizens were exiled and dispersed throughout the Assyrian Empire. Non-Jewish peoples were then brought into Samaria. Intermarriage resulted, and the “rebels” became “half-breeds” in the eyes of the Southern Kingdom of Judea. So great was Jewish and Samaritan hostility that Jesus’ opponents could think of nothing worse to say of him than, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?” (John 8:48).
– J. Jeremias

“Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” “The one who showed mercy to him,” he said. Then Jesus told him, “Go and do the same.”
– Luke 10:36-37 (HCSB)

Jesus indicated that one should worry less about who a neighbor is than about being a good neighbor.
– R.H. Stein (HCSB)

“...let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
– Matthew 5:16b (HCSB)

For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.
– Ephesians 2:10 (HCSB)

Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God.
– 1 Peter 4:10 (HCSB)

1. Can you think of an example where someone helped or served you in some meaningful way? How did it make you feel?
2. Read Luke 10:30-37. With whom do you identify in this story? What do you think you would have done under a similar situation? What do you think the main point of the parable is?
3. What are some reasons or excuses we sometimes have for not serving or helping others in need?
4. Read Mark 10:45 and Matthew 5:14-16. Why is it important that we follow the example of Jesus in serving others?
5. How might you apply today’s lesson to your life?

How Great is Your Love // Faithful Now // Names // Hold Us Together

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