Welcome to the second part of our series, "The Way."

This series is a time to think deeply about what it means to follow Jesus.

At RLC, we rally around these points as values for how we live our lives in fellowship together.

(‭‭Luke‬ ‭10‬:‭29‬-‭37‬ ‭NLT‬‬) “The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’ “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.””

The way of a disciple of Christ is someone who lives as ALL of Christ for ALL OF LIFE.

Overall Commentary: 🌎

Jesus answers the question of what is meant by a neighbor. He also answers this by challenging the man's point of view. Instead of who can serve him, Jesus challenges the man to see how he can be of service. This man is thinking from a narrow, me-centered perspective. Jesus says we should look to be a blessing, not receive a blessing.

Commentary.

Verse 30. Seeing People Who are Hurting.

The journey from Jericho to Jerusalem was a treacherous road and often filled with danger. When Jesus used this roadway, no one would have been surprised to see it as a dangerous example.

Some could have said this man had it coming because he was traveling alone or by traveling on this road at all. Many times, we can look at people in difficult circumstances and say the same. The bottom line is they are hurting and in need of a "neighbor."

Verse 31-32. Seeing People is Inconvenient.

Priest- We are not given a direct reason why a priest was on this road. However, priests would often travel this road on their way to Jerusalem to serve at the Temple. Therefore, it is possible that this man passed on the other side because he had business elsewhere. Jesus could be making the point that we can often hurry through our lives, especially as Christians, trying to make a difference. All the while, we are passing right by opportunities.

A temple assistant (Levite)- This is someone who some see as not much better than the man in the ditch. They were blue-collar workers and thought of as having a "lower status" than others. Jesus uses this person to represent someone who is in a similar state as this guy, yet their similar circumstances did not garner his help either.

Verse 33-35. The True Neighbor.

A Samaritan- Jews and Samaritans hated each other. Jews saw Samaritans as half-breeds. They intermarried with neighboring nations after Assyria destroyed the northern kingdom. Samartians see themselves as the "ones who stayed" and even developed their places of worship. This Jewish audience would have been more likely to think of the Samaritan as the ultimate villain and not the hero. This Samaritan shows what it truly means to be a neighbor.

A true neighbor-

Sees the pain in others.
Does what they can.
Provides next steps.

We cannot do everything, nor should we try. Our goal is not to be Jesus, but to connect them to Him. We are to help connect them to resources that can provide additional support.

Verse 36-37. A Change of Perspective.

Jesus challenges a perspective change. The man asking the question wanted to know who his neighbor was. That would give the vantage point of himself as the one in the ditch. Instead, Jesus said our goal is to go through life looking for people in ditches.

Because God loves us and get our help from Him, we go out to be a lifeline to others.

God's Promise:

(Matthew 25:34-40) “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’