Luke 10:30-42 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is Luke 10:30-42. Let’s go!
Luke 10:30-33 (NIV)
30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.
31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.
32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.
On verses 30-33: In reply to the teacher’s question in verse 29, “Who is my neighbour [that I should love him as I love myself]?” Jesus tells one of his most famous stories: the parable (short story) of the good Samaritan. Keep in mind that Jesus is telling this story to an audience mostly of Jews at a time when racial tensions between Jews and Samaritans were high. The fact that Jesus makes the Samaritan the hero of this story would have come as a shock to many Jews listening, challenging them to rethink their views on Samaritans and suggesting that the kingdom of God is not just for Jews but for people of all nations.
Luke 10:34-35 (NIV)
34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him.
35 The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
On verses 34-35: For me there are many parallels between what the Samaritan in this story did and what Jesus did for us. Keep in mind that Samaritans were a people of mixed origin, being partly Jewish and partly of another culture such as Babylon. Likewise, when religion (represented by the priest and the Levite in Jesus’ story) couldn’t save us, someone of mixed origin, Jesus Christ the God-man, came to our rescue. Also:
– Just as the Samaritan took pity on the broken man (v33), Jesus took pity on our broken and helpless state.
– Just as the Samaritan poured oil and wine on the broken man’s wounds (v34), so our good “Samaritan” Jesus healed us with an oil called his Holy Spirit and a wine called his blood.
– Just as the Samaritan put the broken man on his own donkey and carried him to safety (v34b), so Jesus gave his ride and carried us to a safe place.
– Just as the Samaritan paid out of his own pocket and guaranteed his debts (v35), Jesus paid for all our debts out of his own pocket.
– Just as the Samaritan had mercy (v37) on this broken man (who if he was a Jew would probably have hated Samaritans prior to this incident and considered Samaritans his enemy), Jesus had mercy on us who were his enemies.
Luke 10:36-37 (NIV)
36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
On verses 36-37: The expert in the law had originally asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbour [that I should love him as I love myself]?” (v29). By answering with this parable, Jesus was essentially saying, “It’s not important who your neighbour is. What’s more important is that you be a good neighbour to those around you.”
Luke 10:38-42 (NIV)
38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.
39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.
40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things,
42 but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
On verses 38-42: Over the centuries as Christians have thought about this famous event in Jesus’ life, Martha has tended to get a bad rap, as if to say that Mary is better than Martha. However, the fact is that Martha was the one who took the initiative to invite Jesus into her family’s home (v38). Martha had the heart to serve and host Jesus to the best of her ability. There are numerous things about Martha that are great and worth commending.
Rather than exalting Mary and vilifying Martha, what we need to do is to take the best of what we see in Martha and the best of what see in Mary.
Like Martha, be proactive in your relationship with God. Take initiative. Don’t just be a consumer or a spectator, but be a servant. Don’t just look to receive, but be one who gives. Be hospitable. Use the time, talents and treasure you have to bless Jesus. Serve God with all of your heart. Work hard to give God your best and most excellent service.
At the same time we want to take the best of what we see in Mary. Prioritize spending time at Jesus’ feet. Enjoy being in Jesus’ presence. Listen carefully and attentively to what Jesus says. Build an intimate friendship with Jesus. Realize that being with God is just as important as “doing things for God”, for if our spiritual life is simply about “doing things for God” and not being with God, our relationship with God will become distant and cold. When we don’t prioritize spending time at Jesus’ feet, we will be “worried and upset about many things” (v41).
So take the best of what you see in Martha and in Mary, and may the way you live out this M&M combination be a sweet and beautiful offering to Jesus.
Finally, what does Jesus mean when he says that what Mary has chosen “will not be taken away from her” (v42). One day when we cross over from here to eternity we will lose the material possessions, the earthly achievements, and whatever fame or fortune we enjoyed on earth. What we will take with us into eternity, however, is the choice we make concerning Jesus. When we choose to have Jesus in our lives now, we get to have him forever and don’t ever need to fear losing him. Choosing Jesus is one choice we can make that cannot “be taken away” from us (v42).
Lord Jesus, thank You for being my good Samaritan, who took pity on me, bandaged my wounds, took care of me and paid for my debt. Like Martha may I work hard to serve You wholeheartedly and like Mary may I prioritize and protect my time just being with You and enjoying Your presence. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
