Seeing Jesus In The Good Samaritan
Luke 10:30-36
Introduction:
1. Has anybody received a compliment today? Everybody likes a compliment. But what is the greatest compliment that anybody could ever give you? For a Christian, it would be when another person tells you that they see Jesus in you.
• They see Christ living in and through you by your actions and attitudes.
2. In the text before us, Jesus tells the familiar story of the Good Samaritan. Let’s read it.
3. The primary purpose of this story was to drive home the point that God is calling us to live lives of compassionate caring. Also, it was to show Israel that they had a form of lifeless religion, void of true life-changing faith.
4. But before leaving this story, I believe we would be remiss if we failed to see Jesus and His love in this text. The Bible is a book that always leads you straight to Jesus. We see Jesus on every page of God’s holy Word.
5. As we look at the Good Samaritan, we see Jesus. How do we see Jesus?
Jesus came where we were. vs. 33
1. There was no way for the Samaritan to save this wounded man from a distance. Notice that it says, “He came where he was.” vs. 33-34
2. Every one of us can identify with this man in the ditch (vs. 30). Every one of us in here has been mortally wounded by Satan, by sin, and by our own bad, evil choices.
3. In fact, the Bible describes one’s unregenerate condition as being “dead in trespasses and sins... fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath.” Ephesians 2:1, 3
4. Satan, like the thieves, is as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
1 Peter 5:8
5. In order for Jesus to rescue us, He had to come to this sin-cursed earth (Satan’s turf) and He had to overcome sin and Satan in order to rescue us.
6. Jesus said, “I am come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10) “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” (1 Timothy 1:15) He came where we were!
7. Today, you may feel wounded and hopeless. I’ve got good news – Jesus Christ came to save you! He came where we were – He was born on the earth (in Bethlehem), lived a perfect life on this earth for 33 years, defeated Satan, and now can rescue you from whatever ditch you may find yourself in.
8. Jesus knew He couldn’t do what was necessary to save us from a distance, so (like the Samaritan) He came right where we were. John 1:14; 1 Timothy 3:16;
1 John 4:9
Jesus was moved with compassion towards us. vs. 33
1. The Samaritans and the Jews were enemies. The Jew in the ditch may have thought that the Samaritan had come to pour salt in his wounds, laugh at him, or finish him off. The Samaritan said, “No, I am here to show compassion to you and help you.”
2. You may feel that God hates you, and Jesus Christ despises you. But this simply is not true. Jesus Christ loves you, has compassion on you, and wants to save you.
3. Jesus Christ had such compassion on sinners. He loves you right where you are (wounded and bleeding), but He loves you too much to leave you in that state.
4. He can heal your broken life and make you a new person. 2 Corinthians 5:17
Jesus took our wounds upon Himself. vs. 34
1. The Good Samaritan “went to him and bound up his wounds.” He didn’t have to take this guy’s wounds upon himself. He could have said, “I didn’t create these wounds. They aren’t my problem.” But he chose to help. What a picture of Christ!
2. Jesus Christ did not create the wounds in my life (nor did He create yours). Most of my wounds have been self-inflicted by wrong or sinful decisions. Some wounds have been caused by others who just want to abuse and use you.
3. But Jesus isn’t responsible for one bad thing or painful wound in my or your life. It is Satan that is called a thief and a robber who comes to kill and destroy
(John 10:1, 10). Satan is called a liar and a murderer (John 8:44). Satan is ultimately behind all the painful wounds of this sinful earth.
4. Jesus Christ died on the cross to heal us from all of our sinful wounds.
Isaiah 53:4-5
• The Bible declares, “He was wounded for our transgressions…” Jesus Christ took our wounds upon Himself so that He could heal us and help us to overcome those wounds. 1 Peter 2:24; Galatians 1:4
5. Today and every day, God loves you! You say, “But how can I know that?”
1 John 3:16 exclaims, “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us…”
Jesus paid the entire cost to save us. vs. 35
1. The Samaritan did not say to the innkeeper, “I’ll pay some of the cost, but you’ve got to get the rest from him when he is well.” No, he took care of the entire cost. What a picture of Christ and what He has done for us. vs. 35
2. The priest and Levite illustrate the total inability of religion to save you from the wounds of sin. Can’t you just hear them yelling at this guy in the ditch, “If you manage to pick yourself up and come to the temple, we’ll pray for you and do some religious incantations over you.”
3. Religion says “Do”, but Christ says, “Done.” Religion says, “You need to do this and do that,” but Jesus says, “I’ve already done it all for you.”
4. Jesus has paid the full cost to rescue you, and given you a home in heaven for eternity. We, like the man in this story, were battered and without strength, but Jesus, like the Samaritan, took care of it all. Romans 5:6, 8-10
5. Romans 6:23 sums it up beautifully, “For the wages of sin is death (we have all been mortally wounded like the man in the ditch), but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Jesus is the Good Samaritan that provides for everything – our healing to a restored life and all the expense put on His account! He offers eternal life as a gift!
Jesus will come again for us. vs. 35
1. The Samaritan handed him over temporarily to an innkeeper, but said, “I’ll be back.” Likewise, Jesus Christ went away to heaven, and He sent the Holy Spirit of God to take good care of us, but Jesus said, “I’ll be back for you.” “And if I go… I will come again.” John 14:3
2. And He will – He gave us His promise! 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
Conclusion:
1. The Good Samaritan is such a picture of Jesus Christ.
2. Will you allow Jesus to bind up your wounds and save you today?
3. He has done everything for you. All you must do is trust and believe on Him, then rest in His promises. Acts 16:31
