Luke 10 25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 27 He answered, “'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, ’Love your neighbor as yourself.’” 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by 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. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii 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.’
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.”
Children read this passage and they think the moral of the story is that they should be kind to others. They should help others in need. However, a deeper insight into this parable is that each and every one of us being the broken, battered, ready for dead person on the side of the road. And whether we see it or not, Jesus, the Good Samaritan takes us in, cares for us, provides for us and heals us.
Why do we see ourselves as the Good Samaritan?
We do this to protect ourselves. I mean, I volunteer at homeless shelters, I donate to churches, I help young aspiring students advance their careers. I must be a good person right? What standards do you follow that lay out the defense of your goodness? Is it your religious standards? Or perhaps you are above religion and satisfy another set of laws? How does your inner child prove its goodness?
What is wrong with the view that we are the Good Samaritan?
As long as we see ourselves as the Good Samaritan, sinful pride boils up within us. We must prove to ourselves that we are good. Part of this inner child's defense includes comparison. We must prove that we don't do drugs, or have affairs, or steal, or judge others or horde money. Inevitably, the person who sees themselves as the Good Samaritan believes they are better than others. One symptom is that they become judgmental. They cannot see how people could make the decisions they make, because they are blind to their own terrible decisions.
Why are we blind to our own sin?
Proverbs 14 12 There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.
Hitler believed he was a good person. He believed he was cleansing the Earth of an inperfect blood line. Al Capone believed he was a good person. He believed he made a place for his Italian citizens and provided services that were needed to enjoy life.
I used to worry about telling people what I really believed. In some cases, certain epiphanies in my life, I almost wished I could unlearn them. Life used to be so simple, until I stumbled upon certain truths. But the more I learn about communication, the more I realize I don't have to worry about expressing my ideas. You can describe color to a color blind person for weeks and they still won't quite understand color. They say, when the student is ready, the teacher will appear.
In my life, I remember hearing several things over and over and over again. And then, BAM! I was hit with an epiphany. Sometimes it would take weeks, other times months, other times over twenty years. How could I have missed it? Why isn't God's truth easier to find? What am I missing today, that five years from now I will look back and wonder, why I didn't see it?
Which truth in my own life, out of self preservation and I failing to see?
What is the benefit of seeing our sinful nature?
Proverbs 30 8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. 9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.
When we know nothing good lives within us, we are free from the shame associated with our actions. Fear of shame is completely selfish. If I am shamed, how does that hurt people who don't even know me? You might even see shame as a great burden. Why would I not want to be shamed by others so they can feel good about themselves for not having done what I have done. When we have this humility, we are allowed to accept others' sins, because we know it is only by God's grace that we have not done the same. We allow the true source of love to come into our lives. It is only when we are eternally loved that we have the capability to avoid sin. It is only when we are not poverty stricken in love that we do not steal from false sources of love. It is only when we daily perceive our complete and utter brokenness that we avoid the snare of feeling rich in love so we do not take glory for ourselves, in our own pride, hence forgetting the Lord.
Does knowing we are broken sinners and God's restoration for our lives gives us full right to sin?
Galatians 6 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
Not particularly. If we knew the truth of God's plans for our lives, we would never sin. If we knew the lies laid in front of us, which cause sin to rise up within us, we would never follow sin's counsel. While we are forgiven, we still have consequences to our sin.
Even for those who see themselves as needing a Savior, can you see your own brokenness, daily? Can you accept that each and every day, you are completely battered and in need of His love? Will you allow your inner child to submit to feeling that powerless?
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