The Lawyer & The Good Samaritian

The Lawyer and the Law
Luke 10:30-37
One of best known parables
"A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite... 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion…”
The story behind the story (25-29)
25 And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying,"Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" 26 He said to him, "What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?" 27 So he answered and said,"'You shall 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.'"

Hostility of Pharisees and lawyers …
25 And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying,"Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"
Jesus knows his heart …
26 He said to him, "What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?" 27 So he answered and said,"'You shall 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.'"
The story behind the story (25-29)
28 And He said to him, "You have answered rightly; do this and you will live." 29 But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

Proper response to the law …
Romans 7:12 Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good.
Galatians 3:12 "the man who does these things shall live by them."

Proper response to the law …
Romans 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin.
Luke 18:13 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!'
Matthew 11:28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Jesus tells the story (30-35)
30 Then Jesus answered and said: "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
Jesus tells the story (30-35)
31 Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side.
Jesus tells the story (30-35)
33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
Jesus tells the story (30-35)
35 On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.'
Jesus tells the story (30-35)
37 And he said, "He who showed mercy on him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."
The lawyer has no answer …
He used the law to try to trip Jesus, but when confronted with the clear answer to his question, he began to quibble …
He loved debate, not obedience …
Matthew 15:3-6 He answered and said to them, "Why do you also transgress the commandment of God because of your tradition? 4 For God commanded, saying, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.' 5 But you say, 'Whoever says to his father or mother,"Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God" — 6 then he need not honor his father or mother.' Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.
Jesus had one message …
Luke 10:28 “do this and you will live.“
Luke 10:37 "Go and do likewise."


Our attitude to God’s word …
Just something to study?
2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Our attitude to God’s word …
Just something to discuss?
1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear

The Lawyer and the Law
Luke 10:30-37



– Produce conviction
• Lessons …
• We must teach God’s plan of salvation …
– Matthew 28:19-20
– Mark 16:15-16
– Acts 2:38
• The First Gospel Sermon
• Acts 2:1-41