In The Parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus challenged the stereotypes of religious people. Those who are people of the Kingdom show compassion to others.
Luke 10:25-37
Context (10:25-29)
- Jesus introduced the Parable of the Good Samaritan when a religious expert attempted to stump Him (25).
- We don’t require updated content to be relevant; we just need to be faithful to God’s original intentions (26-28).
- Seeking loopholes for who we have to help never reveals the heart of God (29).
Content (10:30-35)
- This world is full of broken people severely damaged by the sins of others (30).
- Being religious does not guarantee that you will exhibit the type of compassion God expects and that others need (31-32).
- If prejudices make you skeptical that God could use a particular type of person, it’s doubtful that He’s using you(33).
- Following Jesus often requires enduring inconvenience in order to display compassion (34-35).
Concept (10:36-37)
- We often question who deserves to receive help while Jesus is questioning our willingness to offer it (36).
- Those who believe in mercy ought to be the first to show it to others (37).
- This world will never change if the Church only offers selective help to similar people (37).
Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.
