November 8, 2015
Morning Service

Luke 10:17-37

 

Remembering this Scripture:  The disciples ask Jesus “why do you speak to them in parables.”

Luk 8:10  And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.

The next parable on our list is the good Samaritan.  Some of these parables are easy to understand, others not so easy.  Last Sunday evening Greg spoke to us concerning our Christian light.  We are not to hide it, and it is given to illuminate the world around us.  That was easy to understand.  So is todays, the Good Samaritan.

 

We will begin with what led up to our parable this morning.

 

Luk 10:1  After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.  (Mormons)

Luk 10:17-37  And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.  (18)  And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.  (19)  Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.  (20)  Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. 

·         The phrase “from heaven” is to be referred to the lightning, and does not mean that he saw “Satan” fall “from heaven,” but that he fell as quick as lightning from heaven or from the clouds. The whole expression then may mean, “I saw at your command devils immediately depart, as quick as the flash of lightning. I gave you this power - I saw it put forth - and I give also now, in addition to this, the power to tread on serpents, and scorpions.

·         And the disciples were rejoicing greatly because of this power.  But Jesus says, “rejoice not in this, but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”

·         The reason Jesus said this;  Rev 20:12-15  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.  (13)  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.  (14)  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.  (15)  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

(21)  In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.  (22)  All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him. 

·         Even with the burden of Calvary looming on His mind, He took time to thank, and worship, His Father.  Rejoicing in the Spirit for what His Father was doing.

·         hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, As the Apostle Paul said, “1Co 1:26-27  For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:  (27)  But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

 

 

 

(23)  And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:  (24)  For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. 

·         Maybe no better place to help us with this idea.

Heb 11:13-16  These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.  (14)  For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.  (15)  And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.  (16)  But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

·         All these great faith heroes, died not receiving the promises, but knew there was something really special coming one day.

(25)  And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?  (26)  He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?  (27)  And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.  (28)  And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.  (29)  But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? 

·         Living under the law, I’m sure he understood that the commandment was “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, mind, and soul, and thy neighbor as thyself.”

·         But he wanted to make sure.  “who is my neighbor?”

(30)  And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.  (31)  And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.  (32)  And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.  (33)  But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,  (34)  And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.  (35)  And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.  (36)  Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?  (37)  And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

·         The priest, afraid to get involved.  The Levite, the elite tribe, of Moses, and Aaron, that was to take care of the tabernacle.  Didn’t want to get involved.  They did nothing.  Not what God would want.

·         What God was pleased with was a lowly Samaritan’s actions.  These people were dirt in the eyes of the Jews.  An unclean people.  But Jesus says his actions, and what he did is exactly what we all should be doing.

Kindness, Love, caring, forgiving, not judging, being compassionate, and mercy, these are the attributes that God expects of His people, His church.  This is letting your light shine.

 

Occupy till I come!  Just like this.    LOVE THY NEIGHBOR!  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE.

 

ALMIGHTY GOD, GIVE YOUR CHURCH THE DESIRE TO BE MORE LIKE JESUS, IN THESE VERY TRYING TIMES.  AMEN.