"...proving that this is very Christ." _ Acts 9:22
"...proving that this is very Christ." _ Acts 9:22

 

JULY 2nd 

A CERTAIN SAMARITAN (Continued)

 

Scripture Reading: Luke 10: 25-37

25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?

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.

28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

 

     Unlike the certain lawyer in the above Scripture who sought to justify himself, believers must realize and fully embrace the fact that Jesus has been made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption (I Corinthians 1:30). Our belief is then strengthened the more we learn Christ. The lawyer asked Jesus, And who is my neighbour? That simple question gauged him precisely and is a powerful teaching point for all as will become evident in the parable of Jesus concerning the certain Samaritan.

 

     Verse 30 above sets the stage for Jesus’ response to the lawyer. "And Jesus answering said…" The word "answering" literally means that Jesus took him up or stated another way, removed the ground from under him. Hallelujah! Higher ground! This lawyer, of course, represents the Law. Jesus did not deal with Law on its own territory, He fulfilled It. This lawyer probably understood that in the Jewish culture, a neighbor meant any Hebrew member of their nation which is also probably why he thought he could justify himself with the question. However, Jesus brought the lawyer to the all-conquering ground of Eternal Spirit which brings every nation, kindred, and tongue together in Himself. The lawyer was familiar with a priest and a Levite but bringing a Samaritan into the picture made the situation quite uneasy for him. After all, he would have had no dealings except with the Jews. Even the woman at the well (John 4) reminded Jesus that the Samaritans had no dealings with the Jews. Jesus came removing partitions and flesh prevented Law from doing the same.

 

Continued

Print | Sitemap
© Restoration Christian Ministries Center