Text: Luke 10:30-37
Title: How good is the care we give to others?
This month we are going to elaborate on promoting a culture of caring for others in the church. The Bible has a lot to say about caring for each other so let’s begin by looking today at the parable of the Good Samaritan.
The Good Samaritan is our role model. So we are going to make note of how He went about providing care to others.
1. He set out.
“But a Samaritan, as he travelled…
Lots of people set out that morning on the road to Jericho. What sets him apart was that he set out to do what no one else set out to do.
We can say with certainty that the band of robbers set out that morning to do wrong.We can also say with certainty that the Priest and the Levi set out that morning to do nothing. Earlier in the parable we are told that the expert in the Law set out to test Jesus. But the Samaritan is to be our role model because he set out that morning to do good.
Every person sets out each day with the same options. I can set out like those robbers to do wrong.I can set out like the Priest and the Levi to do nothing or I can set out like the Good Samaritan to do good.
Now I am confident that no one here sets out to do wrong.So that leaves us with 2 options.I can set out to do nothing or I can set out to do good. How many times have we come back from somewhere to be asked the question “What did you do today”? NOTHING!
Or we are asked the question “What’s new? NOTHING!
In order to end the day right we have to begin the day right. If we set out to do nothing we most likely end up doing nothing. If we set out to do good we are more likely to end up doing good. God did not save us out of doing wrong in order for us to end up doing nothing.
People said of the Apostle Paul in Galatians 1:23 “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy. And they praised God because of me.”
2. He Saw
Again all three groups who set out that morning saw the man
“But a Samaritan, as he travelled, came where the man was; and when he saw him…”
Those who set out that morning to do wrong saw the man and stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.” When the Priest and the Levi saw the man they both passed by on the other side. When the Samaritan saw the man He went to him and cared for him. One group saw the man and took advantage of him. One group saw the man and ignored him. One group saw the man and did something good for him
There are people who see a person in crisis and take the opportunity to profit from it.There are people who see a person in crisis and take the opportunity to ignore it. There are people who see a person in crisis and take the opportunity to do something good.
3. He Sorrowed
“But a Samaritan, as he travelled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.”
In the NKJ version it says “And when he saw him, he had compassion.”
Compassion is defined as the feeling that arises when you are confronted with another’s suffering and feel motivated to relieve that suffering. It’s a feeling that motivates you to action. Don't let anyone rob you of your compassion for others. The Priest and the Levi felt only contempt for the man. The Samaritan felt only compassion. Compassion moves you towards the hurting. Contempt moves you away from the hurting.
Only Luke’s gospel records the parable of the good Samaritan. It is not found in Matthew, Mark or John.The Bible tells us that Luke was a doctor by profession. Perhaps this was his favorite parable? I wonder if this was Jesus’ favorite parable to tell. After all we are told in the Bible that He himself was full of Compassion.
4. He Supplied Care
“He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the inn keeper. Look after him, he said, and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expenses you may have.”
His compassion moved him to action.Compassion without action is not really compassion.
The supply of care was strategic. He supplied bandages for the wounds first and then poured on the oil and the wine. He first addressed the wounds of the past before he supplied the healing for his future. We cannot experience healing without first addressing the hurts of the past. We have to diagnose the problem before we can apply the remedy. We don't bury our wounds we bandage them.
Notice that the Good Samaritan was also generous with the care he supplied.He took out 2 silver coins and gave them to the inn keeper.
He could have given one silver coin to the inn keeper and kept the other for himself.Are we a 2 silver coin giver or a one silver coin giver?
When we give care do we give it generously?
Also the Good Samaritan involved others in the care process. He involved the inn keeper.
5. He Sets the standard
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers? The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
The Good Samaritan is our role model. Jesus as much as said to the expert in the law; you may be an expert in the law on paper but the Good Samaritan is an expert in the Law in practice.Mercy triumphs over judgement. Are we more about judgement over mercy?
Do we rob people of mercy?
Conclusion:
Go and do likewise;
1. Set out to do good
2. See the good you can do
3. Sorrow for those who need care
4. Supply all the care you can
5. Set the standard high
