Good Samaritan
Luke 10:25–37
Opening: A
Question That Tests the Heart
A lawyer stood to test Jesus: “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit
eternal life?” Jesus directed him to the Law. He answered rightly:
love God with all your being and love your neighbor as yourself
(Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18). Jesus replied, “Do this and you
will live.” The lawyer then asked, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus
answered with a story that moves the discussion from definitions to
deeds.
The Law’s
Summary and the Path to Life
Scripture consistently gathers the commandments into two great
duties—undivided love for God and active love for neighbor. Eternal
life is promised to those who do the Father’s will (Matthew 7:21).
Salvation belongs to those who obey Him (Hebrews 5:9). The Lord ties
life to practice. The measure is straightforward: hear God’s word
and carry it into action.
The Road, the
Wounds, and the Mercy
A man traveled from Jerusalem to Jericho. Bandits stripped him, beat
him, and left him half-dead. A priest came by, saw, and continued
his journey. A Levite came by, saw, and walked on. A Samaritan came
by, saw, and felt compassion. He drew near, treated the wounds with
oil and wine, set the man on his animal, brought him to an inn,
cared for him through the night, gave two denarii to the innkeeper,
and promised to cover any remaining cost. Jesus then asked, “Which
of these three proved neighbor to the man who fell among robbers?”
The lawyer answered, “He who showed mercy on him.” Jesus said, “Go
and do likewise.”
What Mercy
Looks Like
Mercy sees and responds. In the story, compassion moved through a
clear sequence: noticing the need, approaching the person, applying
care, bearing weight, arranging shelter, covering costs, and
committing to follow-through. Neighbor love acts with initiative,
touches real wounds, and keeps promises. Words without deeds leave
people where they lie (James 2:14–17). Love in truth expresses
itself by tangible help (1 John 3:17–18).
Obstacles
That Silence Mercy
People often pass by needs they notice. Hurry muffles compassion.
Fear retreats when risk appears. Prejudice sets limits on who
deserves help. Ritual concerns and personal schedules can crowd out
the second commandment. The Lord’s story exposes those barriers and
calls us to a better way: keep your eyes open, cross the distance,
and bear another’s burden (Galatians 6:2, 10; Proverbs 3:27–28).
Who Is My
Neighbor?
The Lord’s question reorders the conversation. The issue is not a
boundary to protect, it is a character to display. A neighbor is the
person who shows mercy to the person in front of him. The charge is
simple and solemn: “Go and do likewise.” Life and doctrine meet at
this point. The one who does the Father’s will enters the kingdom
(Matthew 7:21). The one who obeys the Lord receives life (Hebrews
5:9). The wise hear the sayings of Jesus and do them (Matthew
7:24–25).
A Pattern
for Daily Practice
Neighbor love grows when disciples make room for specific habits:
• Keep margin in your schedule so you can stop when someone falls
within your reach.
• Carry tools for help—practical supplies, phone numbers, and a
plan.
• Pair immediate aid with ongoing care; the Samaritan stayed through
the night and arranged follow-up.
• Share costs willingly. The Samaritan placed his coin on the
counter and pledged to settle the balance.
• Guard impartiality. The story pairs ancient enemies to show that
mercy does not check backgrounds before it acts.
• Teach your children and your brethren this pattern, then model it
in front of them.
Congregational Applications
Congregations can reflect the Samaritan’s steps in organized ways:
benevolence that reaches genuine needs, visitation that lifts the
isolated, meals that carry people through illness, rides that bring
the shut-in to care, and instruction that equips members to serve
wisely. Test every tradition by the Lord’s words and keep what
aligns with His commands (Colossians 3:17; Matthew 15:9). The Lord’s
standard remains: do what He says and keep doing it.
Storms and
Courtrooms
Every life meets storms and every soul meets judgment. Houses raised
on hearing and doing endure (Matthew 7:24–27). At the end, the Lord
evaluates practice by His word (John 12:48). The Samaritan’s pattern
gives a trustworthy footing: action that matches command, mercy that
matches need, obedience that matches confession.
Conclusion:
Go and Do Likewise
The lawyer asked for a definition. Jesus supplied a direction.
Someone near you lies wounded by sin, loss, or hardship. Open your
eyes, cross the distance, apply care, and keep the promise. The
Lord’s words carry His authority. Set your footing there and live
them out today.
Exhaustive
Sermon Outline
Call to
Action
Set your heart to “go and do likewise.” Identify one nearby need and
meet it this week. If you have delayed obedience to the Lord’s
gospel, delay no longer. If you have passed by needs within your
reach, turn back today and act. The Lord has spoken; walk in His
steps.
Scripture
Reference List (with notes)
-
Luke
10:25–37 — The Good Samaritan; neighbor defined by mercy and
action
-
Deuteronomy
6:5; Leviticus 19:18 — Love God wholly; love neighbor as self
-
Matthew 7:21
— Entrance linked to doing the Father’s will
-
Hebrews 5:9
— Salvation given to those who obey the Lord
-
Matthew
7:24–27 — Hearing and doing builds on rock
-
James
2:14–17 — Faith without works is dead
-
1 John
3:17–18 — Love in deed and truth
-
Galatians
6:2, 10 — Bear burdens; do good as you have opportunity
-
Proverbs
3:27–28 — Do not withhold good when it is in your power
-
Colossians
3:17 — Do all in the name of the Lord
-
Matthew 15:9
— Human doctrines produce empty worship
-
John 12:48 —
Judgment by the Lord’s word
-
Mark 16:16;
Acts 22:16; Romans 6:3–4; 1 Peter 3:21 — Appointed response to
the gospel
Prepared by David Hersey of the church of Christ at
Granby, MO |
The
church of Christ
