WEBVTT 00:00:00.239 --> 00:00:00.800 Amen. 00:00:01.040 --> 00:00:07.679 Well, if you've got a student in kindergarten through third grade, they can go ahead and head out to their class now. 00:00:08.080 --> 00:00:12.960 The rest of us, if you would, go ahead and open up your Bibles to Luke chapter 10. 00:00:13.199 --> 00:00:16.399 If you don't have a Bible with you this morning, that is no problem. 00:00:16.559 --> 00:00:19.120 There should be a Bible under a chair around you. 00:00:19.280 --> 00:00:22.480 We'd love for you to grab that this morning, use it. 00:00:22.640 --> 00:00:25.519 If you don't have a good Bible, go ahead and take that Bible home with you. 00:00:25.679 --> 00:00:27.120 We'd love for it to be yours. 00:00:27.519 --> 00:00:29.760 You can also open up your bulletin as well, though. 00:00:30.160 --> 00:00:32.159 There is the passage in your bulletin. 00:00:32.240 --> 00:00:34.240 There's even some pages to take notes. 00:00:34.399 --> 00:00:40.320 This morning, we're going to be looking at Luke chapter 10, verses 25 through 37. 00:00:40.799 --> 00:00:46.320 And the reason is because this summer we're making our way through what we've called the stories of Jesus. 00:00:46.560 --> 00:00:47.840 These are parables. 00:00:48.000 --> 00:00:54.320 Parables are short stories that Jesus tells that are packed with spiritual truth. 00:00:54.719 --> 00:00:57.200 They're one of the key ways that Jesus taught. 00:00:57.359 --> 00:01:05.359 And this morning we will get to look at what might be his most famous story: the parable of the Good Samaritan. 00:01:05.840 --> 00:01:11.359 Even if you're here this morning, you've never cracked open a Bible, you know something of the Good Samaritan. 00:01:11.599 --> 00:01:14.319 I think everyone knows something of the Good Samaritan. 00:01:14.640 --> 00:01:17.120 You can flip on Netflix and find the movie Good Sam. 00:01:17.519 --> 00:01:21.280 You maybe have heard of Good Samaritan laws in our country and our state. 00:01:21.439 --> 00:01:25.280 Maybe you think of a relief agency like Samaritan's Purse. 00:01:25.680 --> 00:01:34.239 It's amazing to me to think that this story of Jesus, so short, has actually pervaded the very culture and language of our world. 00:01:35.120 --> 00:01:45.200 In some sense, the Good Samaritan is almost a universal icon of charity, kindness, mercy to those in need. 00:01:45.680 --> 00:01:53.200 And I think most of us here this morning, when we hear Good Samaritan, our first inclination is we want to be good Samaritans. 00:01:53.519 --> 00:01:58.239 Who doesn't want to be a good, kind, helpful person? 00:01:58.799 --> 00:02:00.400 I think that's especially true for us. 00:02:00.480 --> 00:02:01.760 We're Midwesterners. 00:02:01.920 --> 00:02:04.799 There's an aspect of this where it's like that's like our DNA. 00:02:04.959 --> 00:02:07.519 Like what we do is help people. 00:02:08.240 --> 00:02:10.319 I think this parable maybe draws that out. 00:02:10.479 --> 00:02:17.599 The problem is that we want to do good often so that we feel good. 00:02:18.319 --> 00:02:21.919 And the problem with the Good Samaritan is it doesn't make us feel good. 00:02:22.159 --> 00:02:30.159 Because when we think of the Good Samaritan, my guess is that most of us think about the car in need that we passed by this morning. 00:02:30.479 --> 00:02:36.080 Or we think about a stranger in downtown that we ignored this past week. 00:02:36.319 --> 00:02:40.000 We think of all the ways that we have not been helpful. 00:02:40.240 --> 00:02:42.560 That we have not been the good Samaritan. 00:02:42.960 --> 00:02:47.520 In fact, when we think about the Good Samaritan, often it just brings up a lot of questions in our minds. 00:02:47.840 --> 00:02:52.159 Do we always have to be the Good Samaritan in every situation? 00:02:52.400 --> 00:02:56.000 Is there some situations where maybe there is a better Good Samaritan than us? 00:02:56.240 --> 00:02:58.560 Someone that would be more particularly helpful? 00:02:59.199 --> 00:03:01.919 Does every situation actually need a good Samaritan? 00:03:02.319 --> 00:03:03.759 Is it always right to help? 00:03:04.159 --> 00:03:05.360 Sometimes it's a scam. 00:03:05.680 --> 00:03:07.520 Can sometimes helping hurt? 00:03:07.759 --> 00:03:10.560 Do we have to be a good Samaritan to the whole world now? 00:03:10.800 --> 00:03:16.800 We have all everyday disasters across our globe that come to our computer screen that are in front of us. 00:03:17.039 --> 00:03:22.879 We maybe hear of tragedies that happened in a hometown or with people that we've known long ago. 00:03:22.960 --> 00:03:27.120 And we think, well, do we need to be good Samaritans to everyone? 00:03:28.159 --> 00:03:31.439 I think there's so many questions that this parable brings about. 00:03:31.840 --> 00:03:33.520 Many of us just want it really simple. 00:03:33.680 --> 00:03:35.439 Like, tell us what to do, and we'll do it. 00:03:35.599 --> 00:03:37.680 It's almost like we want the field of dreams voice. 00:03:37.759 --> 00:03:40.000 We want like somebody to be like, ease his pain. 00:03:40.400 --> 00:03:48.319 We want somebody to sort of, God just to tell us, like, help this person, not so creepily, but like we just want it clear. 00:03:49.280 --> 00:03:52.560 And I think this parable confronts us in that. 00:03:54.879 --> 00:03:58.400 It in some sense is supposed to do that. 00:03:59.039 --> 00:04:01.919 But is this parable just supposed to do that? 00:04:02.240 --> 00:04:05.840 Is this parable really, did Jesus tell this just to make us feel bad? 00:04:06.080 --> 00:04:07.919 To make us feel like failures? 00:04:08.159 --> 00:04:11.280 Is the call really in this parable just to be better? 00:04:11.599 --> 00:04:12.560 Do more? 00:04:12.960 --> 00:04:13.919 Help more? 00:04:14.159 --> 00:04:15.599 Show more mercy? 00:04:16.319 --> 00:04:17.920 I don't think it's so. 00:04:18.399 --> 00:04:24.319 See, I think many of us we know the story or maybe the gist of it, but we've forgotten its context. 00:04:24.639 --> 00:04:27.439 Or maybe we've never even really known its context. 00:04:27.680 --> 00:04:33.040 We've never actually even maybe really considered, well, what led to Jesus telling this parable? 00:04:33.279 --> 00:04:34.879 Who did he tell it to? 00:04:35.199 --> 00:04:36.560 Why did he tell it? 00:04:37.120 --> 00:04:39.759 What is actually the point of this parable? 00:04:40.480 --> 00:04:44.079 See, I think we've largely ripped this parable out of its context. 00:04:44.319 --> 00:04:48.399 And because we think of it in such a uh world perspective, we've secularized it. 00:04:48.480 --> 00:04:53.680 We've ripped it out of the context of the Bible, out of even just understanding it in light of who God is. 00:04:54.399 --> 00:04:58.800 And that means I think for many of us we've lost its true main point. 00:04:59.439 --> 00:05:01.680 Church, I don't want to confuse this at all. 00:05:01.839 --> 00:05:12.639 This parable is convicting, it does confront, but it is also encouraging, and it is also incredibly hopeful. 00:05:12.959 --> 00:05:14.720 See, here's our main idea this morning. 00:05:14.879 --> 00:05:20.160 The mercy Jesus calls for is found only in the mercy Jesus gives. 00:05:20.720 --> 00:05:27.199 The mercy Jesus calls for is found only in the mercy Jesus gives. 00:05:27.519 --> 00:05:31.519 Let's look at the passage, Luke chapter 10, verses 25 through 37. 00:05:31.680 --> 00:05:32.720 Here's what it says. 00:05:32.959 --> 00:05:35.759 Then an expert in the law stood up to test him. 00:05:35.920 --> 00:05:42.800 This is Jesus, saying, Teacher, Jesus, what must I do to inherit eternal life? 00:05:43.040 --> 00:05:45.519 Jesus responds, What is written in the law? 00:05:45.680 --> 00:05:46.319 He asked him. 00:05:46.480 --> 00:05:47.680 How do you read it? 00:05:47.839 --> 00:05:57.759 The scribe answered, Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself. 00:05:58.000 --> 00:06:03.519 Jesus responds, You've answered correctly, he told him, Do this, and you will live. 00:06:03.759 --> 00:06:09.519 But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, And who is my neighbor? 00:06:09.759 --> 00:06:15.920 Jesus took up the question and said, A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of robbers. 00:06:16.079 --> 00:06:20.560 They stripped him, beat him up, and fled, leaving him half dead. 00:06:20.800 --> 00:06:22.879 A priest happened to be going down that road. 00:06:23.040 --> 00:06:26.000 When he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 00:06:26.240 --> 00:06:31.519 In the same way, a Levite, when he arrived at the place, saw him and passed by on the other side. 00:06:31.759 --> 00:06:38.240 But a Samaritan on his journey came up to him, and when he saw the man, he had compassion. 00:06:38.480 --> 00:06:43.279 He went over to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on olive oil and wine. 00:06:43.439 --> 00:06:48.079 Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 00:06:48.959 --> 00:06:53.920 The next day he took out two dinari, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, Take care of him. 00:06:54.079 --> 00:06:57.759 When I come back, I'll reimburse you for whatever extra you spend. 00:06:58.000 --> 00:07:04.240 Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers? 00:07:04.480 --> 00:07:07.920 The scribe answered, The one who showed mercy to him, he said. 00:07:08.160 --> 00:07:12.240 Then Jesus told him, Go and do the same. 00:07:12.959 --> 00:07:16.319 Church, we're going to look at two questions this morning together. 00:07:16.560 --> 00:07:22.000 The first question is the question that we've seen in the passage, who is my neighbor? 00:07:22.319 --> 00:07:23.519 That's our first point. 00:07:23.680 --> 00:07:24.720 Who is my neighbor? 00:07:24.800 --> 00:07:28.240 Now I need to say that this is not the most important question in the passage. 00:07:28.480 --> 00:07:30.399 I don't even think it's a right question. 00:07:30.560 --> 00:07:36.879 I'm not even sure it's a good question, but it is the one that leads Jesus to tell this parable. 00:07:37.199 --> 00:07:49.519 It's asked by an expert in the law, a scribe of scribes, if you will, a highly regarded religious leader, one who knew the law backwards and forwards. 00:07:50.000 --> 00:07:53.439 And the question arises from what this scribe has just said. 00:07:53.600 --> 00:08:06.000 If you look at verse 27, this scribe, this expert in the law, has told us that the law requires us to live, love God with everything we are, and our neighbor as ourselves. 00:08:06.240 --> 00:08:11.439 Jesus commends this answer in verse 28, and then he calls him to live it out. 00:08:11.920 --> 00:08:14.399 But the scribe has a follow-up question. 00:08:14.959 --> 00:08:17.040 He wants a little bit more clarity. 00:08:17.519 --> 00:08:19.600 He'd like a qualification. 00:08:20.079 --> 00:08:26.560 If he's to love his neighbor as himself, he wants to know, well, who is my neighbor? 00:08:26.800 --> 00:08:30.720 Now, the text helps us here because it tells us why he asked this question. 00:08:30.879 --> 00:08:32.159 Look at verse 29. 00:08:32.639 --> 00:08:38.320 But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus. 00:08:39.120 --> 00:08:42.720 Friends, I think we're actually really familiar with this type of question. 00:08:43.200 --> 00:08:47.279 I think we've been asking questions like this our entire lives. 00:08:47.919 --> 00:08:54.240 You might think of a mom saying to her son, be nice to your brother. 00:08:54.480 --> 00:08:57.360 And the brother responded, Well, for how long? 00:08:58.320 --> 00:09:00.159 Like, like always? 00:09:00.480 --> 00:09:01.919 In every situation? 00:09:02.159 --> 00:09:03.919 Give me some qualifications to this. 00:09:04.000 --> 00:09:07.360 Or maybe you can imagine this as a student or an employee. 00:09:07.600 --> 00:09:11.679 Somebody asks you to do something, well, how good does it have to be? 00:09:11.919 --> 00:09:13.039 Like, really good? 00:09:13.600 --> 00:09:14.480 Sort of good? 00:09:14.639 --> 00:09:17.519 How much time and energy should I put into this? 00:09:18.480 --> 00:09:20.559 Maybe you could think of it as a Christian. 00:09:20.799 --> 00:09:26.960 Paul tells us in Ephesians 4.29 that no foul language should come from your mouth. 00:09:27.200 --> 00:09:29.759 Maybe we go, well, does sarcasm count? 00:09:30.159 --> 00:09:34.240 Or maybe we think, well, are we just talking about bad words? 00:09:34.639 --> 00:09:35.840 Qualify this for me. 00:09:36.000 --> 00:09:37.200 Help me understand this. 00:09:37.360 --> 00:09:42.080 Or maybe the most famous at all, how far is too far? 00:09:42.879 --> 00:09:45.679 We know these sorts of justifying questions. 00:09:45.840 --> 00:09:52.799 They're questions that are focused on the external, designed to diminish the command, to make it easier. 00:09:53.200 --> 00:09:58.399 They actually remind me of maybe my most favorite Calvin and Hobbes comic strip. 00:09:58.639 --> 00:10:11.039 If you're not familiar with Calvin and Hobbes, it's about a little boy who carries his little stuffed animal Hobbes, it's very alive, and his mom comes to him and says to him, You are filthy into the tub with you. 00:10:11.279 --> 00:10:17.759 And the next panel has Calvin sitting in the tub, clothes on, no water, running with a huge smile on his face. 00:10:18.000 --> 00:10:23.279 And he says, I obey the letter of the law, if not the spirit. 00:10:23.679 --> 00:10:25.519 That's what this question is. 00:10:25.759 --> 00:10:32.240 This is a letter of the law question given so that we might ignore the spirit of the law. 00:10:32.480 --> 00:10:34.320 See, that's what the scribe is doing. 00:10:34.480 --> 00:10:37.120 He wants to make obedience easier. 00:10:37.600 --> 00:10:40.240 And that's why Jesus tells this parable. 00:10:40.399 --> 00:10:43.120 Now, the parable itself is pretty straightforward. 00:10:43.279 --> 00:10:46.559 Except there are three increasingly shocking moments. 00:10:46.799 --> 00:10:50.559 We find that there's a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. 00:10:50.639 --> 00:10:52.080 That's a very ordinary journey. 00:10:52.159 --> 00:10:55.120 Those are two of the most populous towns in the area. 00:10:55.200 --> 00:10:58.399 They're only separated by 18 miles. 00:11:01.200 --> 00:11:03.440 The problem is it was a pretty difficult trek. 00:11:03.840 --> 00:11:09.440 Because Jerusalem, if you know, is 2,600 feet above sea level. 00:11:09.600 --> 00:11:13.919 And Jericho is 825 feet below sea level. 00:11:14.080 --> 00:11:21.679 So for the math leads among us, that is just over 34 feet, 3,400 feet in elevation difference. 00:11:22.000 --> 00:11:31.600 And if you've ever been on a journey like that, or if you've ever been on a trail or a road that is going up significant elevation, you can maybe even picture what it looked like. 00:11:31.759 --> 00:11:34.559 If you've been on such a trail, you know what a switchback is. 00:11:34.720 --> 00:11:37.679 It's really like hard, sharp turns. 00:11:38.000 --> 00:11:46.480 The path almost looks snake-like as it weaves in and out among, uh down from a height or up a height. 00:11:46.799 --> 00:11:48.399 I can imagine what this would look like. 00:11:48.559 --> 00:12:04.879 The problem is, maybe worse, is that this journey, particularly, was through a barren, mostly uninhabited land that was filled with caverns and caves, which meant that it was a thief's paradise. 00:12:05.120 --> 00:12:09.600 That's why nobody is actually shocked about what happens to the traveler. 00:12:09.759 --> 00:12:13.120 That's actually the normal thing in this story. 00:12:13.279 --> 00:12:16.159 What's shocking is the passerbys. 00:12:16.960 --> 00:12:19.360 Look, first, a priest comes by. 00:12:19.600 --> 00:12:24.480 Now, he's leaving the temple, heading back home to Jericho, likely, and we might think, a priest? 00:12:24.879 --> 00:12:27.279 How great that a priest happens to come by. 00:12:27.440 --> 00:12:29.039 Surely he'll help. 00:12:29.440 --> 00:12:33.360 And yet he passes by on the other side of the path. 00:12:33.600 --> 00:12:38.399 Now, the text, Jesus doesn't give us a reason why, but it wouldn't be hard to come up with one. 00:12:38.799 --> 00:12:43.919 Priests would be un would be ceremonially unclean if they touched a dead body. 00:12:44.080 --> 00:12:53.120 So maybe it's that the priest couldn't tell whether the man was dead or alive, and his livelihood as a priest was at stake, and so it was best for him to pass on, he thought. 00:12:53.279 --> 00:12:54.879 But then comes a Levite. 00:12:55.200 --> 00:12:59.600 A Levite was a temple servant, a deacon, if you will, today. 00:12:59.840 --> 00:13:06.320 We would think, well, this person is particularly like it's in his wheelhouse to help this man who is suffering. 00:13:06.559 --> 00:13:10.320 And yet he also passes by on the other side of the road. 00:13:10.559 --> 00:13:17.120 Maybe it was he thought that those same robbers who had hurt and uh this man, maybe they were still in the vicinity. 00:13:17.279 --> 00:13:19.919 Maybe he didn't want to suffer the same fate. 00:13:20.080 --> 00:13:22.399 There was danger to the situation. 00:13:22.639 --> 00:13:23.200 We don't know. 00:13:23.279 --> 00:13:24.960 Jesus doesn't tell us. 00:13:25.279 --> 00:13:29.279 But lastly, a Samaritan comes. 00:13:29.600 --> 00:13:38.399 Now, I think priorly because of this parable, we might be inclined to think well of a Samaritan, but not Jesus' audience. 00:13:38.639 --> 00:13:42.320 A Samaritan was the worst of the worst. 00:13:42.639 --> 00:13:47.120 They were, to the Jews, outcasts and enemies. 00:13:47.360 --> 00:13:49.919 In fact, they were sort of like half Jews. 00:13:50.080 --> 00:13:57.039 If you're familiar with Israelite, uh kind of the history of Israel, they were the part of the northern kingdom that fell to Assyria. 00:13:57.200 --> 00:14:03.679 They were godless and pagan, they intermarried with uh Gentiles and idol worshipers. 00:14:03.919 --> 00:14:09.120 They even built their own temple, like a mock temple on the top of Mount Gerizim. 00:14:10.000 --> 00:14:12.799 These were the enemies of the Jews. 00:14:13.279 --> 00:14:15.840 They were corrupt through and through. 00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:24.799 In fact, just days ago, if you just look back a few chapters, you'll see that Jesus and his disciples were kicked out of a Samaritan village. 00:14:26.320 --> 00:14:29.759 Nobody in this audience liked the Samaritans. 00:14:30.080 --> 00:14:34.320 And yet that's who Jesus chooses to make the hero of this story. 00:14:34.639 --> 00:14:36.080 Why does he do that? 00:14:36.799 --> 00:14:41.200 Remember the original question: Who is my neighbor? 00:14:41.600 --> 00:14:45.120 Well, I think Jesus is answering that question right here. 00:14:45.360 --> 00:14:53.360 Because if there was one group of people that the scribe was certain was not his neighbor, it would have been the Samaritans. 00:14:53.679 --> 00:14:57.759 See, I think sometimes it's hard though to help us feel the shock. 00:14:58.399 --> 00:15:07.919 But it would be like speaking of a Nazi during World War II or a communist during the Cold War, a terrorist around 9-11. 00:15:08.320 --> 00:15:09.840 Did you even get a feel of it? 00:15:09.919 --> 00:15:10.879 Look at verse 37. 00:15:11.039 --> 00:15:13.600 The scribe can't even get himself to say Samaritan. 00:15:14.720 --> 00:15:16.320 Can't even say it positively. 00:15:16.480 --> 00:15:19.039 He just refers to him as the one who. 00:15:20.320 --> 00:15:22.240 I think Jesus' point is clear. 00:15:22.639 --> 00:15:26.639 He's telling the scribe, even the Samaritan is your neighbor. 00:15:27.440 --> 00:15:30.000 Church, I think this is a needed word to us. 00:15:30.320 --> 00:15:40.080 Especially in our so divided society and world, no one we meet is excluded from being our neighbor. 00:15:40.639 --> 00:15:53.360 That means the liberal Democrat, the MAGA hat wearing Republican, the person with the rainbow sticker at the coffee shop, the Muslim, the Mormon, the snob, the insulting. 00:15:53.600 --> 00:15:58.399 As Christians, we can't say to this call to mercy, well, not them. 00:15:59.279 --> 00:16:01.519 They aren't my neighbor. 00:16:02.000 --> 00:16:03.279 That's the point. 00:16:04.000 --> 00:16:06.080 But not the primary point. 00:16:06.480 --> 00:16:10.399 That's actually not what Jesus is mainly getting at in this parable. 00:16:10.720 --> 00:16:16.960 Jesus actually doesn't tell this parable to answer the scribe's question, but to give the scribe a question. 00:16:17.519 --> 00:16:18.480 A much better question. 00:16:18.639 --> 00:16:19.679 Look at verse 36. 00:16:19.759 --> 00:16:21.519 Here's why Jesus tells the parable. 00:16:21.919 --> 00:16:29.759 Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers? 00:16:30.000 --> 00:16:34.639 The law expert uses neighbor as a noun, but Jesus turns it into a verb. 00:16:35.039 --> 00:16:38.080 The lawyer asks, Who is my neighbor? 00:16:38.320 --> 00:16:42.320 Jesus asks, What does it mean to be a neighbor? 00:16:43.279 --> 00:16:45.679 Jesus flips it on his head in some sense. 00:16:45.840 --> 00:16:47.120 James Edwards, I think, is right. 00:16:47.200 --> 00:16:52.559 He says, for Jesus, one does not have a neighbor, one is a neighbor. 00:16:53.200 --> 00:16:55.440 We're not asking, who is my neighbor? 00:16:55.600 --> 00:16:58.480 We're asking, how can I be neighborly? 00:16:58.639 --> 00:17:00.480 What does it mean to be a neighbor? 00:17:00.639 --> 00:17:04.960 That's not merely obeying the letter of the law, but the spirit. 00:17:05.279 --> 00:17:07.680 And what does neighboring look like? 00:17:08.160 --> 00:17:13.599 Well, in this picture, it's to show mercy, to show kindness to those we encounter in need. 00:17:13.839 --> 00:17:16.799 And the Good Samaritan is such a powerful picture. 00:17:17.200 --> 00:17:20.160 See, to be merciful means we don't make excuses. 00:17:20.799 --> 00:17:25.920 He doesn't hold his mercy back because the sufferer is a Jew, his enemy. 00:17:26.240 --> 00:17:29.119 He doesn't hold his mercy back even because it might be dangerous. 00:17:29.279 --> 00:17:32.480 He doesn't even hold his mercy back because it might be costly. 00:17:32.720 --> 00:17:33.920 No, look at what he does. 00:17:34.079 --> 00:17:36.000 He bandages the man's wounds. 00:17:36.240 --> 00:17:41.759 He puts him on his own animal, which means he had to walk the rest of the way. 00:17:42.000 --> 00:17:43.680 And then he pays two denarii. 00:17:43.759 --> 00:17:46.400 That's a full two days' wages. 00:17:46.720 --> 00:18:00.720 And then he ensures that the man is fully cared for because he promises this innkeeper who was likely Jewish and hated him that he will make sure to pay for whatever cost it takes for this man to be well cared for. 00:18:01.200 --> 00:18:04.000 Friends, he doesn't compromise at all. 00:18:05.119 --> 00:18:05.759 Why? 00:18:06.480 --> 00:18:10.319 Because the Good Samaritan isn't asking what's required of him. 00:18:10.799 --> 00:18:13.279 Rather, he's asking what can he give. 00:18:13.759 --> 00:18:16.319 See, I think this is the key point of the parable. 00:18:16.880 --> 00:18:18.960 I think this is its very heart. 00:18:19.200 --> 00:18:25.759 True mercy doesn't ask what must I do, but what can I do? 00:18:26.559 --> 00:18:29.599 See, mercy by definition isn't deserved. 00:18:29.680 --> 00:18:30.880 It's undeserved. 00:18:31.039 --> 00:18:32.799 It's not required. 00:18:33.519 --> 00:18:37.519 Friends, I think that's why true mercy can never arise out of guilt. 00:18:42.079 --> 00:18:45.839 Guilt is a pretty poor motivator through and through. 00:18:46.160 --> 00:18:58.000 See, good true mercy can't come from seeking to fulfill an obligation, from checking a box, from trying to justify ourselves, say that we've done enough, we're worthy enough, we're good enough. 00:18:58.160 --> 00:19:04.319 You don't become more merciful by thinking about yourself, but by thinking about your neighbor. 00:19:04.799 --> 00:19:07.599 I would argue ultimately by thinking about God. 00:19:08.400 --> 00:19:14.000 See, mercy fundamentally isn't a have to, it really is a get to. 00:19:14.960 --> 00:19:18.799 You know, you think of the questions that we sort of had from the beginning. 00:19:19.279 --> 00:19:22.400 You think of the question that led to this by the scribe. 00:19:22.640 --> 00:19:23.839 Do we always have to help? 00:19:24.079 --> 00:19:24.880 Should we help? 00:19:25.039 --> 00:19:26.480 Are we required to help? 00:19:26.720 --> 00:19:32.640 I don't think they're the exact same question as the law expert, but sometimes I think they come from the same root. 00:19:33.519 --> 00:19:35.759 How can I justify myself? 00:19:36.079 --> 00:19:40.240 How can I feel good about my doing good? 00:19:40.720 --> 00:19:44.079 How can I sure I ensure that I've done enough? 00:19:44.559 --> 00:19:51.680 Here's where I think Jesus' parable is so convicting and needed because Jesus is flipping this issue on its head. 00:19:51.839 --> 00:19:54.640 Mercy isn't about being right or being good. 00:19:54.799 --> 00:20:03.200 It's not about what we're supposed to do, it's about genuinely wanting someone's good and helping them. 00:20:03.599 --> 00:20:06.720 Mercy is far more about who we are. 00:20:07.599 --> 00:20:13.599 Jesus is calling us to mercy, and he's telling us that true mercy comes from a merciful heart. 00:20:14.880 --> 00:20:21.680 Friends, that's why our main idea is the mercy Jesus calls for is found only in the mercy Jesus gives. 00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:26.079 So that's what we need to look to, too, because there's a second question in this passage. 00:20:26.400 --> 00:20:31.279 The question is, what must I do to inherit eternal life? 00:20:31.839 --> 00:20:34.640 Now, this is the question I think we've largely forgotten. 00:20:34.799 --> 00:20:40.079 If you know anything of the parable of the Good Samaritan, you might be surprised that this question's even here. 00:20:40.640 --> 00:20:43.279 And yet, this is the question that led to it. 00:20:43.519 --> 00:20:47.039 And I think this is the all-important question, isn't it? 00:20:47.359 --> 00:20:50.319 Is there a more important question in life? 00:20:50.640 --> 00:20:53.440 Now, just recognize a couple assumptions here. 00:20:53.680 --> 00:20:57.200 This question assumes that there is eternal life. 00:20:57.839 --> 00:21:01.759 And it also assumes that not everyone will inherit it. 00:21:02.240 --> 00:21:06.799 Church, we saw much of this in our study of Revelation, but I think it bears repeating. 00:21:07.039 --> 00:21:09.599 This life is not all there is. 00:21:10.160 --> 00:21:13.599 What we do in this life matters in eternity. 00:21:13.839 --> 00:21:20.000 There is real life after death, heaven, and there is also eternal death, hell. 00:21:20.640 --> 00:21:25.039 And our lives here are but a prologue to eternity. 00:21:25.359 --> 00:21:28.799 This is the question that's at the heart of the passage. 00:21:29.440 --> 00:21:31.599 Now, it's not asked genuinely. 00:21:31.759 --> 00:21:33.359 Look at verse 25 again. 00:21:33.519 --> 00:21:37.359 Then an expert in the law stood up to test him. 00:21:38.400 --> 00:21:41.440 It's not like the expert really wants to know the answer to this question. 00:21:41.599 --> 00:21:44.079 The scripture's clear, he's wanting to trap Jesus. 00:21:44.240 --> 00:21:50.000 He's wanting to ask something to Jesus that will divide the crowd, that'll be difficult for Jesus to answer. 00:21:50.079 --> 00:21:53.839 But Jesus, masterfully, and we could learn a lot from this. 00:21:54.240 --> 00:21:56.240 Just ask the question right back. 00:21:57.279 --> 00:21:58.880 Such a great way to respond. 00:21:58.960 --> 00:21:59.759 He said, Well, you're an expert. 00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:01.119 In the law? 00:22:01.359 --> 00:22:03.279 Why don't you tell me? 00:22:03.920 --> 00:22:06.720 And the scribe actually answers so well. 00:22:06.880 --> 00:22:08.160 Look at verse 27 again. 00:22:08.240 --> 00:22:15.759 He answered, Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself. 00:22:15.920 --> 00:22:17.519 That's a superb answer. 00:22:17.839 --> 00:22:23.039 Like a first rate summary of the law of God. 00:22:23.279 --> 00:22:25.759 In fact, it's Jesus' summary. 00:22:26.000 --> 00:22:30.720 Jesus, when asked what is the greatest commandment, says almost the exact same thing. 00:22:31.039 --> 00:22:34.240 But Jesus isn't interested in this man's intellect. 00:22:35.119 --> 00:22:36.799 He wants his heart. 00:22:37.119 --> 00:22:39.279 And his response shows it. 00:22:39.519 --> 00:22:41.279 He commends the man's answer. 00:22:41.440 --> 00:22:43.440 But then he says, look at verse 28. 00:22:43.759 --> 00:22:46.480 Do this and you will live. 00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:50.400 Now here's where I think we might want to question Jesus. 00:22:50.799 --> 00:22:54.400 Like I think if you're reading this, you're like, wait a second, I have some questions, Jesus. 00:22:54.559 --> 00:22:58.720 Remember what the original question is: what must I do to inherit eternal life? 00:22:58.880 --> 00:23:01.039 And Jesus says, do this and live. 00:23:01.200 --> 00:23:02.240 You want eternal life? 00:23:02.400 --> 00:23:02.799 Do this. 00:23:02.960 --> 00:23:03.680 What is this? 00:23:03.920 --> 00:23:05.279 Obey the law. 00:23:05.920 --> 00:23:10.720 Love God, love neighbor, keep the law, and you will live, Jesus says. 00:23:10.960 --> 00:23:13.279 And some of us want to be like, Jesus. 00:23:14.319 --> 00:23:16.319 I don't think that's what you mean. 00:23:17.039 --> 00:23:20.000 Like, I don't, I don't think that's what you're supposed to say here. 00:23:20.160 --> 00:23:23.359 That doesn't sound like Christianity, Jesus. 00:23:23.599 --> 00:23:27.119 Aren't you supposed to say, I have come that they may have life? 00:23:27.359 --> 00:23:31.440 I am the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through me. 00:23:31.680 --> 00:23:35.759 The lawyer asks a gospel question and Jesus gives him law. 00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:38.960 And we're like, what are we doing, Jesus? 00:23:39.920 --> 00:23:45.119 Well, Jesus is actually doing this to get him to the gospel. 00:23:45.759 --> 00:23:47.279 Friends, I think this is so important. 00:23:47.440 --> 00:23:53.680 Here's why Paul in Galatians calls the law a tutor or guardian. 00:23:54.000 --> 00:23:59.359 That the law actually is intended to point us to Jesus. 00:23:59.519 --> 00:24:02.079 Now you might be wondering, well, how does it do that? 00:24:02.559 --> 00:24:08.240 Well, let me give you three really easy letters to remember any time that you're struggling with the law. 00:24:08.559 --> 00:24:09.359 SOS. 00:24:09.839 --> 00:24:12.160 You might think, well, that's a distress signal, and it is. 00:24:12.240 --> 00:24:15.200 So maybe when the law distresses you, here's what you ought to think. 00:24:15.440 --> 00:24:16.319 SOS. 00:24:16.559 --> 00:24:20.880 Show our sin and show our savior. 00:24:21.200 --> 00:24:27.119 The law shows us our sin and shows us our need for a savior. 00:24:27.279 --> 00:24:28.400 That's what the law does. 00:24:28.559 --> 00:24:30.400 Because look again at verse 27. 00:24:31.039 --> 00:24:43.200 What said, love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself? 00:24:43.680 --> 00:24:47.200 And then Jesus says, Do this and live. 00:24:48.079 --> 00:24:52.240 Now, what's the only true, genuine response to that question? 00:24:52.400 --> 00:24:56.319 How should the scribe have responded to Jesus' statement? 00:24:56.559 --> 00:25:00.480 I think he should have said, I can't. 00:25:02.000 --> 00:25:04.160 Jesus, I can't do this. 00:25:04.720 --> 00:25:08.960 Like I've tried and I have failed miserably. 00:25:09.279 --> 00:25:11.119 My sin is too great. 00:25:11.359 --> 00:25:13.039 Is there any hope for me? 00:25:13.920 --> 00:25:15.440 A hopeless sinner? 00:25:16.640 --> 00:25:19.440 Friend, maybe you're here this morning and you're not a Christian. 00:25:19.680 --> 00:25:22.000 Maybe that's exactly how you feel. 00:25:22.319 --> 00:25:23.359 Try to do this. 00:25:23.519 --> 00:25:24.559 I'm trying to be good. 00:25:24.640 --> 00:25:25.680 I'm trying to do right. 00:25:25.839 --> 00:25:28.640 Make it easier for me, but it doesn't seem to get easier. 00:25:29.680 --> 00:25:32.079 Maybe you're in this same spot. 00:25:32.640 --> 00:25:35.920 Maybe you've tried so hard and you failed to be good. 00:25:36.480 --> 00:25:41.359 We can imagine what Jesus' response would have been had the scribe responded that way. 00:25:41.920 --> 00:25:48.319 He would have said, Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 00:25:49.200 --> 00:25:52.720 He would have said, I have come to seek and save the lost. 00:25:52.960 --> 00:25:55.920 I have come that you might have life. 00:25:57.440 --> 00:26:03.680 See, here's what the law does it reveals our sin and reveals our need for a savior, and then the gospel shows us that savior. 00:26:03.920 --> 00:26:06.480 That's how the law actually brings us to the gospel. 00:26:06.559 --> 00:26:09.440 This is how I think we ought to understand Jesus' parable. 00:26:09.759 --> 00:26:14.160 See, the lawyer, the expert in the law, he wants to minimize the law's demands. 00:26:14.319 --> 00:26:15.920 He wants to make it easier on him. 00:26:16.160 --> 00:26:18.079 He wants to minimize the burden. 00:26:18.319 --> 00:26:21.200 And Jesus with this parable maximizes it. 00:26:21.920 --> 00:26:23.279 You want to who your neighbor is? 00:26:23.440 --> 00:26:24.480 A Samaritan. 00:26:25.519 --> 00:26:28.400 And you want to know what it means to be a neighbor? 00:26:28.960 --> 00:26:32.319 It means to show him mercy even at great cost. 00:26:33.039 --> 00:26:35.200 See, Jesus takes it to the heart. 00:26:35.519 --> 00:26:38.960 See, these two questions, they have to be read together, church. 00:26:39.200 --> 00:26:42.880 And actually, there's parallelism here. 00:26:43.279 --> 00:26:43.759 Look at it. 00:26:43.839 --> 00:26:46.400 The same thing happens twice, exactly the same thing. 00:26:46.559 --> 00:26:52.400 The scribe asks a question, Jesus responds with a question, the scribe answers, and then Jesus tells him to live it. 00:26:52.640 --> 00:26:56.000 Verse 25, here's the question What must I do to inherit eternal life? 00:26:56.160 --> 00:26:58.640 Jesus responds with a question, what is written in the law? 00:26:58.799 --> 00:27:00.640 The scribe answers in verse 27. 00:27:00.799 --> 00:27:03.279 Jesus says, Do this and live. 00:27:03.599 --> 00:27:06.319 So then the scribe asks another question, Who is my neighbor? 00:27:06.480 --> 00:27:09.599 Now, Jesus tells a parable first, but then he asks a question. 00:27:10.640 --> 00:27:13.519 Which of these do you think prove to be a neighbor? 00:27:13.680 --> 00:27:14.960 And the scribe answers it. 00:27:15.119 --> 00:27:18.240 Verse 37, the one who showed mercy to him. 00:27:18.319 --> 00:27:20.079