Different Views About Salvation: Luke 10:30-37
“30) Jesus replied and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead. 31) And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32) Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33) But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, 34) and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35) On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.’ 36) Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?” 37) And he said, “The one who showed mercy toward him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same.”” Luke 10:30-37
The story of the Good Samaritan was prompted by the question; “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (Vs 25) Each character in the story represents the way people commonly answer that question. In the story, each figure consistently lived out their religious position. Let’s look at them again.
However, we are going to set the Good Samaritan aside, because as we will see in the next section, he represented a Savior figure. He was a picture of Jesus.
Let’s look at the story.
First, we have “The Robbers View.” They might represent the “Beyond Hope Position.” These people basically think “I’m so bad, there’s no hope for me!” As a result they often live reckless lives.
How did they respond to the savior figure? The robbers hid from the Samaritan. Some feel so hopeless and lost they run and hide from Jesus.
Second we have “The Priestly View.” He represents the Self Righteous Position. He was so preoccupied trying to save himself that he ignored the savior figure. His view may have been, “I’m so good God will certainly accept me!”
It is likely on that day he also passed the Samaritan in his travels. How did he respond to the saviour figure? The priest avoided the Samaritan. Many see themselves as being so good they don’t need Jesus.
Third, we have “the Levite View.” This could be called The Religious Good Works Position. It manifests itself as “I’m doing religious good deeds to earn my salvation!”
Again, on that day he most likely also passed the Samaritan on the road. How did he respond the Saviour figure? The Levite was too busy to even notice the Samaritan. Like the Levite, many are so busy trying to earn their own salvation they have no time for Jesus.
Fourth, we have the Inn Keepers view. He represents the Good Work Ethic Position. It basically thinks, “I’m such a good and honest person God has to accept me!”
How did the Inn Keeper respond to the Savior figure? He treated the Samaritan as a preferred customer. Some are so busy with their work they have no margins in their life for Jesus.
Finally, we have The Victimized Traveler view. He represents “The Unconditional Grace Position.” He desperately needed help because there was nothing he could do to save himself. He was totally dependent on the grace and help of a Savior figure.
In the story, the victimized traveler simply put his faith in the saviour figure to save him. He totally trusted in the Samaritan and received his help.
Think about this, each position in the story encountered the Samaritan that day, but only the victimized traveler was saved. Why? He’s the only one who viewed himself as needing a saving.
When looked at from this perspective, the story of the Good Samaritan clearly presents the gospel. Jesus is everywhere offering His grace and help. He is there for you as well! How are you responding to Him?
In the next section, we are going to look at the amazing characteristics of the Good Samaritan that makes him the savior figure in the story. We are going to answer the question; “How does the Good Samaritan represent Jesus in the story?”
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoSev Global
Sent from my iPhone
“30) Jesus replied and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead. 31) And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32) Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33) But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, 34) and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35) On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.’ 36) Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?” 37) And he said, “The one who showed mercy toward him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do the same.”” Luke 10:30-37
The story of the Good Samaritan was prompted by the question; “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (Vs 25) Each character in the story represents the way people commonly answer that question. In the story, each figure consistently lived out their religious position. Let’s look at them again.
However, we are going to set the Good Samaritan aside, because as we will see in the next section, he represented a Savior figure. He was a picture of Jesus.
Let’s look at the story.
First, we have “The Robbers View.” They might represent the “Beyond Hope Position.” These people basically think “I’m so bad, there’s no hope for me!” As a result they often live reckless lives.
How did they respond to the savior figure? The robbers hid from the Samaritan. Some feel so hopeless and lost they run and hide from Jesus.
Second we have “The Priestly View.” He represents the Self Righteous Position. He was so preoccupied trying to save himself that he ignored the savior figure. His view may have been, “I’m so good God will certainly accept me!”
It is likely on that day he also passed the Samaritan in his travels. How did he respond to the saviour figure? The priest avoided the Samaritan. Many see themselves as being so good they don’t need Jesus.
Third, we have “the Levite View.” This could be called The Religious Good Works Position. It manifests itself as “I’m doing religious good deeds to earn my salvation!”
Again, on that day he most likely also passed the Samaritan on the road. How did he respond the Saviour figure? The Levite was too busy to even notice the Samaritan. Like the Levite, many are so busy trying to earn their own salvation they have no time for Jesus.
Fourth, we have the Inn Keepers view. He represents the Good Work Ethic Position. It basically thinks, “I’m such a good and honest person God has to accept me!”
How did the Inn Keeper respond to the Savior figure? He treated the Samaritan as a preferred customer. Some are so busy with their work they have no margins in their life for Jesus.
Finally, we have The Victimized Traveler view. He represents “The Unconditional Grace Position.” He desperately needed help because there was nothing he could do to save himself. He was totally dependent on the grace and help of a Savior figure.
In the story, the victimized traveler simply put his faith in the saviour figure to save him. He totally trusted in the Samaritan and received his help.
Think about this, each position in the story encountered the Samaritan that day, but only the victimized traveler was saved. Why? He’s the only one who viewed himself as needing a saving.
When looked at from this perspective, the story of the Good Samaritan clearly presents the gospel. Jesus is everywhere offering His grace and help. He is there for you as well! How are you responding to Him?
In the next section, we are going to look at the amazing characteristics of the Good Samaritan that makes him the savior figure in the story. We are going to answer the question; “How does the Good Samaritan represent Jesus in the story?”
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoSev Global
Sent from my iPhone
