Point #1:

Our emphasis must be on “walking” NOT talking.

The emphasis in the dialogue in this account is on how we should behave and the behavior of the Samaritan.

• The verb “to do” is prominent: o “What must I do?” (10:25);

o “do this and you shall live” (10:28);

o “the one doing [acting with] mercy” (10:37); o “go and do likewise” (10:37).

In the account no mention is made of the recovery of the wounded man. Did he lose an eye? Did he change his attitude toward Samaritans? The center of attention is solely on the Samaritan as the one who demonstrates the meaning of love for your neighbor. We must emulate this behavior to have eternal life. It is not about a lot of talk, but about a lot of doing.

Point #2:

This is real proof of real salvation.

1. The Law does not save us (Gal. 3:24- schoolmaster), but the Law shows us that we need to be saved.
2. There can be no real conversion without real conviction, and the Law is what God uses to convict sinners (Rom. 3:20).

John 8:31 (NASB)

31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine;

Acts 26:20 (NASB) ….repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance.

1 Corinthians 15:2 (v. 1“…the preached Gospel”)

2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.

John 13:35 (ESV) 35By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” “love is the fulfilling of the Law” (Rom. 13:8-10).

Point #3:

This was a complaint, not a question.

29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

• The lawyer wants to know how and where to draw the line. What can be demanded of me? Whom exactly am I required to love? The question implies that there can be a non-neighbor! The lawyer also wants to know from whom can he safely withhold his love.

Point #4:

Don’t let Protocol overrule practice.

31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side.

32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.

• The priest and Levite are mentioned because they represent the ultimate insiders. Though the priest and Levite lived off of the offerings of worshippers, they showed no compassion for him. The story presents the failure of religious leaders to be humane.

Monday Morning Moment:

“As good Samaritans, we should go and do likewise!”

James 4:17 (ESV) So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.