"Go Thou and Do Likewise"

Luke 10:30-37, "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. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 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. 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. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise."

Here we have Jesus giving a parable of the good Samaritan in response to a lawyer who was seeking to justify himself before God (see verses 25-29). Jesus was illustrating who our "neighbor" is and our responsibilities to our neighbors. At the end of the parable Jesus says, "Go, and do thou likewise." Jesus is declaring that this is the manner that He expects us to live with one another. This is how believers are to behave.

What the Law demands, the Gospel produces.

Consider a few observations I have taken from this parable:

1. Notice the Cruelty of the World We Live In. (v.30). This man went on a short journey and nearly lost his life. Every day we hear new reports of murder, rape, and robbery. We live in a fallen and cruel world. Sin hurts! Sin hurts, not only the ones who sin, but it hurts others in our families, churches, and society. Man is often his own worst enemy.
   

2. Notice the Coldness of the Heart of Man. (v.31-32) These religious leaders were cold-hearted in spite of: a. God's providence. It was no coincidence that these men cross paths with this Samaritan. It was a Divine appointment. The first man to arrive was a Priest, one who was no doubt highly educated and skilled in the things of the Lord. The second was a Levite who would have gotten help and perhaps helped carry the man to a physician. Both of these men would have been very gifted men. It is important to understand that God did not gift these men for their own pleasures. He did not place these men in this position for no reason. God gives us what we have and places us where we are to serve others. b. Their religion. The coldest hearts in the New Testament were in the chests of the Pharisees, Priests, and Levites. The religious leaders of the day who should have set the example of compassion were the ones behaving most unkindly. c. Their awareness. They say this man first hand and knew that he needed help, yet they did nothing. We can all make excuses for our lack of compassion, but when we do, we are behaving no different that this Priest and Levite.
   

3. Notice the Compassion of One. (v.33-35) One man who cared made a tremendous difference in the life of this Samaritan. Showing the compassion that God expects from His people requires more than just spare time and pocket change. a. I must die to self to show compassion. Galatians 2:20, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." 1 Corinthians 15:31, "... I die daily." b. I must devote my self and all I am to the Savior. 1 John 4:17, "Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also." c. I must have the "dynamite" of the Holy Spirit's filling. As I yield my will to the Lord, the Holy Spirit takes the unconditional love of God ("agape") and pours it out of my life. Romans 5:5, "And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."
   

Galatians 5:22, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."