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Page 10: The Life of Christ Following the Harmony of the Gospels
An ongoing series on the life of Christ, following the Harmony of the Gospels found in the Thompson Chain Bible.
We are beginning at Jesus' baptism (paragraph 47) and will continue until His ascension.
The gospel harmonies attempt to place each event of the life of Christ
in order and give the relevant scripture as recorded in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
Index
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Back to 141: The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant
Down to 143: His Rejection by the Samaritans
142: The Seventy Sent Forth - Lu. 10:1-16
Luke 10:1 ¶ After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent
them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself
would come.
During months of extreme opposition, Jesus conducted His ministry in areas of
Galilee and Decopolis, away from the religious center at Jerusalem. Now the
time was drawing closer. In a few months, He would meet His appointed
destiny at Calvary.
As He made the journey southward, He would preach the good news of the
kingdom to all who would hear. For this purpose, He appointed seventy
disciples to prepare the way for Him.
They were to go, in pairs, to all the cities and villages that lay on the route to
Judea and Jerusalem. Their message was simple, “The kingdom of God is
here, repent and believe.” If the people of the town received them, then a visit
from Jesus would be on the agenda. if not, their rejection would be duly noted
at the day of judgment.
Jesus pronounced woes upon the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum
because although they had been privileged to hear Him and to see His many
miracles, they rejected Him. It will be more tolerable for the wicked cities of
Sodom, Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment. If they had heard the same
message and seen the same works, they would have repented in sackcloth and
ashes.
The seventy were to travel in a simple manner without money or extra clothing.
They were to go forth as lambs among wolves. Their reliance was to be on the
Lord to provide their needs. They were not to go from house to house, but
remain in the first home that received them and to eat whatever was set before
them.
They were empowered to heal the sick as a sign that the kingdom of God was
near.
Conclusion and Application:
Jesus knew His time was drawing near and He did not shy away from it. He knew
His purpose, he was to die for the sins of mankind at Calvary.
Jesus organized an efficient team to go before Him. If a town or village was not
open to the gospel, He would not bother to visit them ,but would go on to
where there were willing listeners. Jesus still favors efficiency.
The message is still the same, “the kingdom of God is here, repent and believe
the gospel!”
While some of the instructions to the seventy, regarding taking no money or extra
clothing, were probably specific to this mission, it is good to remember that
success of ministry is dependent on much more than our carnal efforts and or
finances. we are to simply go and leave the results to the Lord.
The seventy traveled in pairs. They would thus be able to uplift and encourage each other.
They would also provide each other a check and balance. If one were to err
from the instructions of the Master the other be sure to call it to his attention.
Some of today’s high powered ministries would not bother to preach the message
of the kingdom to any town or village without an advance of thousands of
dollars. That’s sad and will be addressed at the day of judgment, in my
opinion.
Jesus pronounced woes upon those cities who had heard His message many times
and still rejected it. What does that say to countries such as the U.S. who have
been saturated with the gospel and still not received it? Unto whom much is
given, much is required!
The healing of the sick was a sign that the kingdom of God was nigh. Well the
kingdom of God is here and healing is very much a part of the blood covenant.
It was purchased by the blood of our Savior. By His stripes, we were healed.
Back to 142: The Seventy Sent Forth
Down to 144: Healing of the Ten Lepers
143: His Rejection by the Samaritans - LU. 9:51-56
Luke 9:51 ¶ And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be
received up, he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,
52 And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village
of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.
53 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to
Jerusalem.
54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou
that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as
Elias did?
55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of
spirit ye are of.
56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And
they went to another village.
Jesus proceeded on His journey to Jerusalem with steadfast determination. Once
again, just as He had done when He met the women at the well in Sychar, He
traveled directly through Samaria rather than traveling around it.
The Samaritan village refused Him entry because it appeared that He was
traveling towards Jerusalem. This incensed James and John, the sons of thunder
(Mark 3:17), who asked permission to call down fire from heaven. They had recently
seen Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration and had been endowed by Jesus with
special powers to heal the sick and cast out demons. They were confident that they
would be able to call down fire from heaven, just as Elijah had done against the prophets
of Baal.
Jesus rebuked them sharply, saying that they didn’t realize what spirit they were
manifesting. His mission was to save the lost rather then to destroy them.
Jesus took the rejection in stride and simply went to another village.
Conclusion and Application:
The fact that Jesus traveled directly through pagan Samaria rather than circumventing it as
the more religious sects did, demonstrate that He is no respecter of persons. He was
willing to minister the good news of the kingdom to all who would hear (John 4:4).
The attitude of the Samaritans was to be expected. They couldn’t tolerant somebody
passing by and ignoring their pagan temples while on their way to worship at the temple in
Jerusalem. Pretty much the attitude of the world today against committed Christians.
The attitude of James and John in wanting to call fire from heaven against unbelievers is
in direct opposition to the mind and spirit of the Savior. He had come to save, not to
destroy. Although the disciples at this point had been given special powers they were not
yet baptised with the Holy Ghost (Matthew 3:11; Acts 1:8). Their flesh was rising up to the
point that they were willing to abuse the spiritual gifts they had been given. However, after
Pentecost, all of the twelve had a drastic conversion (Mattthew 16:23; Luke 22:32). They
preached the gospel to the ends of the earth to all kinds of people and gave their lives in
the process.
Spiritual gifts in the hands of carnal men can be extremely dangerous.
Unfortunately the spirit manifested by both the Samaritans and James and John is still very
active today. “My denomination has all the truth there is to have. Your’s has nothing!”
That attitude comes directly from Satan. Let’s put a check on our spirits. Jesus came to
seek and to save the lost.
Back to 143: His Rejection by the Samaritans
Down to 145: Teaching at the Feast of Tabernacles
144: Healing of the Ten Lepers - Lu. 17:11-19
Luke 17:11 ¶ And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed
through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.
12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were
lepers, which stood afar off:
13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the
priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a
loud voice glorified God,
16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a
Samaritan.
17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the
nine?
18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
As Jesus continues on his final journey to Jerusalem , He journeyed through Galilee and
then Samaria on his way south to Judea. At the outskirts of a particular village He heard
the cry, “ Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” Ten men who were lepers were crying out,
knowing that Jesus was their only hope. They probably knew that He had healed lepers
before (Matthew 8:1-4). They were outcast who were forbidden to enter the town and
who could not touch or communicate with other people. They were in effect, the living
dead.
Jesus simply said, “Go show yourself to the priest.” As they were going they were
cleansed. One of them, a Samaritan, noticing that he had been healed, returned to Jesus
and with a grateful heart fell down to worship Him .
“Where are the nine,? Jesus exclaimed. “Did I not heal ten, and only this Samaritan
returned to thank me?”
Conclusion and Application:
Once again, our text illustrated the Jesus does not discriminate on the basis of race,
religion, national origin, sex, or anything else that we use to categorize people. He
responds to faith whenever and from whomever He finds it.
Jesus commanded that the lepers go to the priest and show themselves. Note that they
were not healed until after they had obeyed the Lord’s command. A good lesson for us.
According to the Levitical law, only the priest could declare a leper cleansed, and this only
after many sacrifices and rituals. It is my understanding that no one up until that point had
ever recovered from leprosy. Also, the rabbis had a tradition concerning miracles. They
had listed miracles in the order of difficulty to perform. Lesser miracles could theoretically
be performed by anyone who was used by the Spirit of God. But the curing of leprosy was
reserved for Messiah only.
When Jesus had first healed a leper (Matthew 8:4), He instructed the man to show himself
to the priest as a testimony to them. Seems that in both instances He is saying. “Go tell
the priest of Israel, that Messiah is here.” Indeed He is!
Where are the nine? It is hard to understand the ungratefulness of these other nine who
were healed. However, considering the manifold blessings of the Lord that we take for
granted as our God given rights, do we not often fall into the same trap? I trust not.
Back to 144: Healing of the Ten Lepers
Down to 146: The Adulterous Woman
145: Teaching at the Feast of Tabernacles - Jn. 7:10-53
John 7:10 But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not
openly, but as it were in secret.
11 Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, Where is he?
As large crowds thronged into Jerusalem for the feast of Tabernacles, Jesus was
among them. He made a silent entry into the city , as his opponents were
watching for Him and looking for an opportunity to kill Him. There was much
debate among the people concerning just who he was. Some believed Him to
be a good man, some the Messiah and others thought that Jesus was simply a
deceiver. however, because of the fear of the religious rulers, the people kept
their opinions to themselves.
In the middle of the feast Jesus began to teach. the people knew that Jesus didn’t
have the same level of education as the doctors of the law who usually taught
in the temple but they marveled at His understanding and because He spoke
with authority ( Matthew 7;29; Mark 1:22; Isaiah 50:1-9). The religious leaders also
wondered how Jesus could even read and understand, saying that he had
never learned letters.
John 7:16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.
17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God,
or whether I speak of myself.
18 He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his
glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
Jesus responded that His teaching was not His own but rather that of God who
had sent Him. he also accused them of disobeying the law of Moses that they
professed to revere so deeply, because they were seeking to kill Him.
This they denied and accused Jesus of being possessed by the devil.
During an earlier visit to Jerusalem, Jesus had healed an impotent man on the
Sabbath (John 5:9) and this was the reason that they were seeking to kill
Jesus. Jesus reminded them that when they circumcised on the Sabbath they
were also working on the Sabbath. He enjoined them to not judge by the
appearance but to exercise righteous judgment (Luke 14:1-6).
There was further debate as to whether Jesus was indeed the Christ. The people
expected that no one would know where the Messiah had come from. They
knew the humble origin on Jesus and where He had worked and labored. On
the one hand such a one could not possibly be the Messiah. On the other hand,
no man could do all these miracles, unless he was indeed the Messiah.
Jesus replied that, yes they knew Him and His background, but they didn’t know
the One true God who had sent Him. Jesus said, “I know Him for I came from
Him and He sent me.” This infuriated the rulers and they wanted to kill Him
then, but they couldn’t. It simply wasn’t His time, yet. They sent officers to
arrest Jesus, but they later came back empty handed, exclaiming, “Never a
man spake like this man” (John 7:35).
John 7:34 Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot
come.
Jesus said, “I’ll be with you a little longer, and them I’m going to return to Him
that sent me. which stirred up more debate as to just who and what He was.
John 7:37 ¶ In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If
any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow
rivers of living water.
39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive:
for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
On the last day of the feast Jesus stood up and cried out that He and He alone
was the source of living water. He was speaking of the Holy Spirit which as yet
had not been given to men. Simply by believing in Him, one could have living
water flowing from his innermost being. This simply intensified the division
among the people. Some believed He was Messiah from the seed of David of
the town of Bethlehem and others just wanted to kill Him.
The soldiers who had been previously sent out to arrest Jesus returned empty
handed, the Pharisees asked if they had also been deceived. Wasn’t it
apparent that no Pharisees had believed on him? Nicodemus, who had made
the night visit to Jesus much earlier (John 3), cautioned that the law required that
no man could be put to death before he had an opportunity to defend himself.
This simply directed their wrath towards Nicodemus. Was he also an ignorant
Galilean. Certainly he should know that no prophet could ever come out of
Galilee.
Their plots foiled for the time being, they all dispersed and went to their homes.
It wasn’t the appointed time, but it wouldn’t be much longer before these
people would unleash all of their hatred and venom against Jesus and crucify
Him upon the cross of Calvary.
Conclusion and Application:
Things haven’t changed a bit. Some still reject him and others receive Him. We
who have received him are confident of Who and what He is. He is the living
God veiled in flesh. We are thankful that we have drunk of His living water. He
has given us His Spirit and we will never thrist again.
How could Jesus speak with such understand when He lacked the higher learning that was expec5ted of a teacher of the law?
Well, first of all,as God, He was the author. As a man He was in constant communication with the Spirit of God.
Isauah 50:4 ¶ The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.
Back to 145: Teaching at the Feast of Tabernacles
Down to 147: The Discourse on Fatherhood
146: The Adulterous Woman - Jn. 8:1-11
John 8:1 ¶ Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.
2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people
came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.
3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery;
and when they had set her in the midst,
4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.
5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what
sayest thou?
6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus
stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard
them not.
7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them,
He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one
by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone,
and the woman standing in the midst.
10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto
her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee:
go, and sin no more.
The next day after the feast of Tabernacles had ended, Jesus returned
to the temple and sat down to teach the people, as was customary for any
rabbi to do.
As He was teaching, He was interrupted by some scribes and Pharisees.
They had caught a woman in the very act of adultery. They reminded Jesus
that the law of Moses called for death by stoning (Deuteronomy 22:22-24).
What penalty would He prescribe?
It had been centuries since anyone had been put to death for adultery. If,
as many scholars suppose, the woman was a betrothed virgin, their common
practice was to confiscate the woman’s dowry. The law of Moses also called
for the man to be put to death, but he is curiously absent.
This they considered to be a trap that Jesus could not escape from. If He
didn’t call for death, He would be annulling the law of Moses. If He called for
stoning, he would lose favor with the people.
Jesus, ignoring them, stooped down and began to write in the dirt. Some
suggest that he was writing the names and sins of each of the accusers. That
could have been the case since He knew all things (John 16:30) and knew what
was in the hearts of men (Matthew 9:4). However I don’t think so, since the
men kept pressing Jesus for an answer as He was writing.. Jesus simply
looked up and said, “He that is without sin, let him cast the first stone.”
One by one they were all overcome by a guilty conscience and began
to leave. Jesus asked the woman where her accusers were? She said “I have
none.” Jesus said those tender words that still echo down through the
centuries. "..., Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more."
Conclusion and Application:
I believe that we can all identify with this women and also with her
accusers.
I believe that the women appealed to Jesus for forgiveness and mercy which Jesus
readily extended. He did not minimize her sin. He told her to go and sin no
more. I believe that He gave her the enabling power to do so, just as He does
to us.
Let him that is without sin cast the first stone. People often take this out of
context in an effort to cover their sin. There is a place for judgment in the house
of God (I Peter 4:17). However we must remember that we will be judged with
the same measure of judgment that we have rendered to others (James 2:13).
Jesus said, Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy (Matthew
5:7).
All of us are thankful for the loving and forgiving Savior who not only forgave our
sins, but gave us the enabling power to "Go and sin no more!" We are also
147: The Discourse on the Father - Jn. 8:15-58
Back to 146: The Adulterous Woman
Down to 148: The Parable of the Good Samaritan
147: The discourse on Fatherhood - Jn. 8-15-58
John 8:12 ¶ Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he
that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
After the accusers of the adulterous women had left in shame, Jesus resumed His
teaching in the court of the temple. He made a bold proclamation, “I am the
light of the world.” As J.W. Shepherd explains the context in The Christ of the
Gospels, page 353, Jesus was standing near a huge golden candelabra which
illuminated the temple area every night. It was considered a type of the pillar of
fire which had guided Israel in the wilderness. Just as he had previously
identified Himself with the miraculous supply of water in the desert by
proclaiming himself as the Living Water, He now appropriated to Himself the
type of the Pillar of Fire.
"Light," was a title for the expected Jewish Messiah. So when Jesus said, "I am
the Light of the world," He raised the ire of the ever present Pharisees.
John 8:13 The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy
record is not true.
Their law required the testimony of at least two witnesses to back up
the claims that one might have concerning himself (vs. 14-20). As far as they could see
Jesus was talking of himself and claiming to be Messiah without anyone to
back up His claims. So much for what the eye can see. They only saw a man,
a carpenter of humble disputed birth. What they could not see was Almighty
God clothed in that veil of humble flesh.
Jesus affirmed that it was proper that He should testify of Himself. He had lived a
sinless life. He knew where He had come from and where He was going. The
Father who had sent Him also was his witness. Thus the question arose, Where
is your father. Once again, affirming His absolute unity with the Father, Jesus
answered, “If you had known me you should have known my Father also.
John 8:21 ¶ Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and
shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come.
Jesus then said that He was going away to a place where they could not come.
They would die in their sins without Him. The Pharisees thought perhaps he
was going to commit suicide which would send Him to the lowest depths of
hell . Naturally, they couldn’t go there.
John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that
I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
25 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the
same that I said unto you from the beginning.
26 I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and
I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him.
27 They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.
Jesus then issued an absolute for entering into His kingdom, "Except you believe
that I AM he, you will die in your sins." We may have differences on explaining
the godhead. It is difficult to fully understand the relationship of the earthly
Jesus to the heavenly Father, but one thing is absolute. We must believe that
He is God, or we will die in our sins.
There would come a time, after he was crucified that they would realize that He
was indeed the I AM (vs. 28-29). The man that they saw was in constant
communion with His Father and only did and spoke what was pleasing to
Him. The Father was with Him at all times.
At this point, many believed on Him. Jesus told them that if they would continue in
His word they could be His disciples (vs. 32-37). They would know the truth and
the truth would set them free.
Of course this incensed the Pharisees. Jesus answered that He only spoke of what
He had seen of the Father and that they did the deeds of their father , the
devil. They countered that Abraham was their father. Jesus said that if that
were so, they would do the works of Abraham, rather than seeking to kill Him.
If God were their father then they would love Him and understand His speech
because He had proceeded from God and was going back to Him. They could
not hear His words because they by nature would do the works of their father,
the devil. He was telling them the truth, but they would not believe Him.
They then insulted Him by calling Him a Samaritan (vs. 46-50). Not only that but
He had a devil. Jesus replied that He didn’t have a devil. He was simply
speaking the words of God and seeking to honor Him. Although they
dishonored Him, He was only seeking to glorify God who was the judge of all.
John 8:51 ¶ Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see
death.
Jesus stated that anyone who believed on Him would never die. Upon hearing this
the Pharisees were all the more sure that He was demon possessed. Here was
a mere man claiming to be greater than their father Abraham and the
prophets, who were all dead. Jesus reaffirmed once again his relationship
with the Father. He was seeking to do His will and the Father was honoring
Him. Moreover, father Abraham had seen His day and rejoiced.
The Pharisees retorted, “You’re not even fifty years old and you’ve seen Abraham?
Jesus replied, “Before Abraham was, I AM. Upon hearing Jesus claim the very
name of God which had been revealed to Moses at Sinai, they took up stones to
stone Him, but Jesus escaped out of their midst.
Conclusion and Application:
Jesus is our living water. He is the Light of the world (John 1:9; I John 2:8). If we
will live, we have only to hear and obey his word.
Jesus was and is fully God and fully man in one visible being. It is important to
remember that often when He is talking of His relationship to the Father that
He is speaking as a man. When He is talking of His preexistence, He is
speaking as the Living Word that was in the beginning with God and was God
(John 1:1). The Word, the very consciousness of God, His mind, His will and
intellect, is an integral part of God which cannot be separated from Him.
Jesus told these people that If they had known Him they should have known His
Father also. In John 10:30 Jesus said, "I and my Father are one." The Jews
understood that He was claiming to be God, and took up stones to stone Him.
Philip asked to see the Father (John 14:8-9). Jesus replied, “He that has seen me
has seen the Father.” There is coming a day that we will indeed see the Father
who is an invisible Spirit. We, like Philip, will see Him in the face and person
of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Discipleship demands that we hear and obey the word of the Lord at all times.
We have the assurance of eternal life because we have believed on the Lord Jesus. we have passed from death unto life (John 5:24; I John 3:14).
Back to 147:The Discourse on Fatherhood
Down to 149: At the Home of Martha and Mary
148: The Parable of the Good Samaritan - Lu. 10:25-37
Luke 10:25 ¶ And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying,
Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart,
and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy
neighbour as thyself.
28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
As Jesus continued teaching in the court of the temple, He was interupted by a
certain lawyer. Lawyers were scribes who not only made copies of the
scriptures but interpreted and taught them. "Jesus, what do I need to do to
inherit eternal life?” Jesus answered, “What do you read in the law?" The man
gave a very good summary of the intent and focus of the law. "Thou shalt love
the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy
strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself." Jesus affirmed
that he had answered well. If he would practice what he was saying, he would
live eternally.
Luke 10:29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my
neighbour?
The man, willing to justify himself, asked the question which introduces us to the
Parable of the Good Samaritan,"Who is my neighbor?"
The story is timeless, with many implications. Many of you have heard it recited
many times in Sunday school and and from the pulpit.
A man was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho and was attacked by thieves who
beat and robbed him and left him as dead. A priest and then a Levite passed
by on the other side of the road and did nothing. A Samaritan man happened
by and was moved with compassion. He took immediate action. He attended
to the man’s wounds with oil and wine and then trasported him to an inn. Here
he left money for the man’s care and promised to pay any extra upon his
return.
Jesus then asked a question which had an unavoidable answer, "Which of these
three was a neighbor to the unfortunate man?" "He that showed Mercy," the
lawyer replied, The answer of Jesus resonants throughout the ages, "Go and do
thou likewise."
Luke 10:36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that
fell among the thieves?
37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go,
and do thou likewise.
Conclusion and Application:
Something about the teaching of Jesus was getting under the skin of this scribe. He was a
keeper of the law and tried to live a holy and pure life before the Lord. Yet, something
was missing and he was wanting to justify himself. Are we ever guilty of that? Yes!
His answer to Jesus was excellent, love God with every thing that you have and your
neighbor as yourself. Of course this is exaxtly what Jesus taught in the
Sermon on the Mount as the true application of the law of Moses. The message has not changed.
There are many types in this parable which people use to illustrate various points. This is
good as long as we don’t miss the main thrust of the story while making out points. For
example: Jerusalem is the city of peace, a type of the kingdom of God. The man traveled
downward to the city of Jericho which is a type of sin and the world. The thieves certainly
represent satan and the works of darkness.
The priest and the Levite are usually taken to represent a preoccupied and/or uncaring
clergy who were going about their religious duties which ignoring that which was right
before their eyes. Times haven’t changed a bit, have they?
In this regard, if we see a need, do our best to take care of it yourself immediately. If our
church will help, that’s good. Obviously we can’t meet every need that we see, but a
caring attitude is what Jesus is calling for. Churches that care can do wondered by
combining the energies of likeminded people.
If churches and clergy are caught up in their self centered programs and ignoring the
wounded and bleeding, there will be a high price to pay at the day of judgment.
Finally, when Jesus specified that it was a Samaritan that did the proper thing, He was
addressing the issue of racial prejudice. Seemingly evey culture has a pecking order. In
much of the world, the lighter your skin, the higher you are in society. The Samaritans
were outcast because they had intermarried with pagans after their captivity and had
adopted idol of worship while still holding to the law of Moses. Just as the western world
has the infamous N word, pious Jews had their S word.
I am thankful for a Savior, whom we call the Good Samaritan. He found me, ravished by
sin, on the road to destruction. He bound up my wounds by pouring in the oil and the wine
of the Holy Ghost. He has also promised to return to see how I’m doing. I can get excited
about that!
Back to 148: The Parable of the Good Samaritan
Down to 150: Parable of the Friend at Midnight
149: At the Home of Martha and Mary - Lu. 10:38-42
38 ¶ Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village:
and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his
word.
40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said,
Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her
therefore that she help me.
41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and
troubled about many things:
42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not
be taken away from her.
It is now just a few months until Calvary. Jesus is at the house of His friends, Mary,
Martha and Lazarus whom He will later raise from the dead. Also, at a future time
Mary will anoint the feet of Jesus with a very expensive perfume (Jn 12:2-8). Many
feel that because Martha took charge of the household duties that she was older than Mary.
perhaps so, since Luke states that it was “her house.”
While Martha is busy preparing a meal for Jesus and His group, mary is sitting at the feet of Jesus,
eagerly listening to all He has to say. Martha appealed to Jesus, “Please tell my sister to get up and
help me.”
Jesus turns to Martha in a loving manner and repeating her name for emphasise, “Martha,
Martha,” He gives her a gentle rebuke. “Martha, you have burdened yourself down with
serving. You are worried about a lot of things. Only one thing is needful and Mary has
chosen that one good thing.”
Conclusion and Application:
How often do we let our religious duties get in the way of communion with Jesus? Too
often. Jesus told us to not worry about tomorrow and to be content with food clothing
and shelter. The lillies don’t toil or spin and the raven doesn’t have storehouse or barn.
Yet the heavenly father knows what they need and supplies it. If we seek the kingdom of
God first, all the necessities of life will be supplied for us. That’s a comforting thought.
How much better to sit at the feet of the Master, listening to His gracious words. Words
to live by and words that will carry us to eternity.
I believe that while listening to Jesus, Mary gained insight into the significance of our
Lord’s approaching death, for which she would anoint Him with an expensive ointment.
Back to 149: At the Home of Martha and Mary
Down to 151: The Seventy Return
150a: The Lord's Prayer Mt. 6:8-9, Lu 11:1-4
Luke 11:1 ¶ And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when
he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also
taught his disciples.
In response to a disciple’s plea, “Lord Teach us to pray,” Jesus repeats the model prayer
that he had given much earlier during The Sermon on the
Mount (Matthew 6:9-13).
Our Lord gave a very simple outline for prayer. We approach God by recognizing Him
as our Father who reigns in heaven and we reverence His name which is revealed in Christ
Jesus. We submit all of our goals and aspirations to His will. The establishment of His
kingdom is our ultimate desire. We are to show total dependence on Him by asking for
this day's bread only, be it natural or spiritual. We know that we must forgive others if we
expect to be forgiven of our sins. We pray to be kept from evil. The Lord knows that we
are weak. We simple ask to not have more temptation put upon us than we can bear. We
are always mindful that His is an eternal kingdom and all power and glory belongs to Him
and Him alone.
To illustrate His point, and to show that this prayer was not intended to be recited by rote,
Jesus continued with the Parable of the Friend at Midnight.
150b: Parable of the Friend at Midnight - Lu. 11:5-13
A man is visited by a friend at midnight. To give him no refreshment would be
unthinkable. However he has nothing in the house. The simple solution is to run over
to the neighbor and ask for a loan of three loaves of bread. The neighbor was not very
obliging. The house was shut up and he and his family were in bed. If this fellow had a
need, he should have anticipated it.
This did not deter the man in need:
Knock knock, "I need three loaves."
"Go away."
Knock knock, "I need three loaves."
"I told you to go away."
"Not until I get what I came for, I need three loaves."
The Pulpit Commentary states it well, "Importunity overcomes reluctance."
Because the man would not give up,
The neighbor arose and gave him what he had need of.
Jesus then continued with the illustration of a heavenly Father who knows what we have
need of and what is good for us. Does He hear every prayer? Absolutely! Does he
answer our every whim? No!
Our instruction is to Ask, seek and Knock! If we ask, we will receive. If we will seek, we
will find, and when we knock, the door to heaven’s throne room is opened to us
(Hebrews 4:16)
Luke 11:9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall
find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him
that knocketh it shall be opened.
Just as an earthly father will not give his son a stone when he ask for bread or a serpent
when he ask for a fish, our heavenly Father is eager to give the Holy Spirit to all who
ask. The Matthew account says he will give , "good things to those that ask." Of
course the good things of God are all included in the abiding presence of His Holy
Spirit.
11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone?
or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?
12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how
much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask
him?
Do you have a need? Keep on knocking! Does God not seem to hear? Keep on asking and seeking! You will have the petition you
desire of the Lord!
Back to 150: Parable of the Friend at Midnight
Down to 151: The Seventy Return
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