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Learn Compassion

July 3, 2022

Luke 10:25-37

25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

Read Luke 10:25-29

  1. In our world, ‘an expert in the law’ might be an attorney or lawyer or law school professor. What did it mean to be an expert in the law in Jesus’ day?
  2. This particular expert is revealed to have two motives. What are they? Do you ever see either of those motives at work in yourself? How?
  3. Jesus acknowledges that the expert has given a solid, accurate, answer to the doctrinal question being asked. How do we know from this passage that Jesus is not satisfied with us knowing the correct answers to doctrinal questions?
  4. Extra credit for the over-achievers: find the Old Testament passages from which the expert in the law draws his answer (but also try to avoid the pride the expert finds in knowing the answer).

Read Luke 10:30-35

  1. How should the final words of verse 29 show us how we must interpret verses 30-35?
  2. What do you take away from this parable? What does it tell you about how you should live your life? What in your life may need to change because of this parable?
  3. In what ways do the actions of the Samaritan provide a parallel for the actions of Jesus in saving His people?

Read Luke 10:36-37

  1. The original question from the expert was “Who is my neighbor?” That was the mindset of both the priest and the Levite in the parable. They could pass by on the other side of the road because, in their view, the Samaritan did not qualify as a neighbor they were required to love. But Jesus flips the script and asks a very different question. Instead of “Who is my neighbor?” he asks, “Who was a neighbor to the man?” This is no longer a conversation about what we must do. It is a conversation about who we should be. And we should be a neighbor, and specifically a neighbor to the need in front of us. So, technically this more of a teaching point than a discussion question…so…..what do you think about that?
  2. What would have to change in your mind or heart or action for you to become a neighbor to the needs in front of you?