This past Sunday, September 22, our sermon focused on the Parable of the Good Samaritan. many of us have heard of this account in varying degrees before. Whether it be from the Scriptural context or from the secular phraseology of one who does good to another as being “a good Samaritan.” This teaching of Jesus has influenced our world and our culture by highlighting God’s expectation of His people to be different from the world (Be ye Holy for I am holy).
In the context of Luke 10 verses 25 through 37, we are made aware of how the people of God are to act and love both God and others (our neighbors). As the Lawyer (one who was an expert on Jewish laws as given by God) this man attempted to test our Lord Jesus by asking first the question: “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Now, I ask you, what is wrong with this question?
The heart behind the question is one that is still alive and well this side of Calvary. In our humanity, we presume that there is some action or collection of outward behavior that will ingratiate us to God and therefore make it incumbent upon Him to grant us eternal life. In this assessment of Eternal Life, we are presumptuous enough to think that there is anything that this fallen nature could ever produce (or want to produce) that would be worthy of God’s forgiveness and would merit us eternal life. Scripture is clear on this false presumption.In Romans 6: 10 – 12, the Apostle Paul reminds us by quoting the Old Testament teachings that” as it is written, THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE; THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEK FOR GOD; ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS; THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE.” With this in mind, what hope do you and I have for eternal life? The answer is found in Jesus alone. As we study further this gospel account, we will arrive at the same lesson that Jesus had in mind for the Lawyer, those listening, and for all who would read His word (that includes us).
Jesus, being fully God and fully Man, answers the question of this Lawyer by asking him a question that will direct him back to the Word of God and his understanding of it. Since he is an expert on God’s law, surely he would know the correct answer, right? Since you and I have heard this parable in some form or another, we should know too. Let’s find out as we continue our exegesis of the Word of God in the next installment on Thursday, September 26, 2019. See you then.
No responses yet