How To Love Series

How To Love

Luke 10:25-37

Introduction

This has been an incredible week across the US … and unfortunately with much destruction and many deaths. Over 70% of the United States were covered in snow. As we thaw out from the frozen weather experience we hear many stories of care and service. One man who owns a furniture store in Houston opened his doors to anyone who needed shelter and warmth. In Philadelphia a man offered free rides to work for healthcare workers who couldn’t navigate frozen roads. In Austin, TX a man who has a hobby of off-road driving put his skills to use in helping stranded motorists.? In Tulsa a man delivered food / hot coffee to utility workers. No doubt there were many acts of helping and kindness, neighbors checking in on neighbors that we will never hear about. We call the people who do these kinds of things “Good Samaritans.” One writer said the parable of the Good Samaritan “is one of the most gripping that Jesus ever told…. it has won its way into the heart of humanity as none other…” (Chappell)

The Parable of the Good Samaritan springs from a conversation about loving God and others.

Luke 10:25-28 25 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.”

In verse 29 the man asks, “And who is my neighbor?” From this exchange comes the parable we know so well.

Luke 10:30-35

In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii 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.’

We believe in a Jesus that Loves and have declared that we want to be a church that loves. Our text gives us some insights about HOW to love… how to be a neighbor to the world around us. … I pray that our study of this text will give us insights and inspiration in growing in the way we love.

1. Love Sees the Wounded (Luke 10:30)

The road from Jerusalem to Jericho was known to be a dangerous road. Most traveled in groups. It would not be unusual to find a wounded person on this route. This man was wounded physically - attacked, stripped, beaten, left half dead.

There are many other kinds of wounded people we meet. Wounded economically - struggling with a lack of finances to meet the needs of daily life. Wounded in body - Health has given way to sickness. Wounded in affections - loneliness has become a companion in life. Wounded in spiritual life - having left our focus on the Lord and His word and family. Wounds that come from wrong choices (the beaten man traveled alone on a known dangerous road!) Wounds evident to all / wounds that are hidden.

Sooner or later we are all casualties to the wounds of life - and we pray someone picks us up instead of passing us up. When we encounter the wounded, we can love.

2. Love Sees The Opportunity (Luke 10:31-32)

The priest and Levite passed by the hurting man. We are given no explanation for their passing him over. Perhaps they feared being ceremonially unclean? Perhaps they feared the man was a decoy to draw in other people to beat and rob? Chappell said, “These men did not fail because they were religious; they failed in spite of their religion.” They were tired, busy, and off-duty. They passed by.

All of us likely have felt the guilt of passing by someone who may need help. Whenever we do reach out to love and help, it changes the course of our day and resources- and it may change someone else's life. We all use our best judgment to help those who are truly in need in the name of Jesus.