Today we are going to look at a passage that is only found in Luke’s Gospel and perhaps one of Jesus’ best-known parables. Now the word “parable” means, “to cast alongside of.” And Jesus tells this story because of a question in Verse 29, “…who is my neighbor?” So, in answering, Jesus “throws alongside” that question…a parable.

The story is told because (as the passage indicates) an “expert in the law” asks Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” A question found twice in Luke’s Gospel – here and in Luke 18:18. And the motivation in asking this question was to text Jesus (Verse 25). It seems this expert in the law didn’t really want to find an answer as much as he wanted to find fault with Jesus.

But in His usual fashion Jesus responds to the question with a question. The theologian then quotes two O.T. passages – Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18 and after quoting them Jesus responds with, “You have answered correctly. Do this and you will live.” Now we need to remember that Jesus was not saying there is something we can do to inherit eternal life – inheritance is based on relationship not achievement. Plus the text tells us in Verse 29, “But he wanted to justify himself.” In other words, he was looking for a loophole.

He knew he had already failed the text but was trying to make himself look good by asking, “Who exactly is my neighbor?” He wanted to know where to draw the line. And with that Jesus launches into a story about a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho – a distance of 17 miles. And as this man is walking robbers come and attack him. They steal his money, clothes, and leave him naked and dying on the road – but just then he sees a Priest coming.

1. Priest – A _____________________ professional.

2. Levite - Strong and ________________________.

3. A Samaritan - ____________________________.

So when Jesus finished the story He asks, “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the Law is so horrified he can’t even bring himself to say, “the Samaritan” only “the one who had mercy on him.” And Jesus ends the parable with this command, “Go and do likewise.”

Jesus shocked His audience because the unlikely hero (Samaritan) did not pass by the wounded man – even though the pillars of religious society did. Jesus reversed the situation so that we are supposed to go and care for the Samaritan – and for those who least expect it. And here’s why – because a neighbor in the eyes of God is anyone in need. Remember, in Leviticus 19:18 the term “neighbor”was used as a synonym for “brother”or “people.” Many rabbis taught that one’s neighbor was really only a fellow Israelite.

Building relationships with our Samaritans is difficult and messy. It’s risky giving grace to the grace-starved. Love to the unloved. Care to the outcast. When you take the time to get to know people (who don’t know Jesus) you will encounter sin you don’t like, approve of, and disagree with – but it’s just different than yours.

And at that point it is extremely important to remember that our mission at JeffStreet IS NOT: Bringing people (we like, agree with, admire, or who we think are decent people) to a deeper relationship with God. No!

Our mission is: Bringing people (all people) lost people, hurting people, people struggling with sin, bad people, lonely people, messy people, people who don’t always agree with us, and people who may not like us – to a deeper relationship with God.

And if we will do that – love people sacrificially – we will see Our Vision: No Pretending! We are broken people helping broken people find Jesus become a reality. That’s what He is encouraging us to do – to love those who least expect it with the kindness of the King.

So the question this story should initiate in us is not, “Who is my neighbor?” but rather, “Whose neighbor am I?” We don’t need to define neighbor – we know – a neighbor in the eyes of God is anyone in need.

Love those who least expect it with the kindness of the King.