Samaritan Pictures Salvation
Origen wrote that the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) is a picture of salvation. Adam is the injured man. The journey is to paradise. The robbers represent hostile powers. The priest and Levite are the law and the prophets. The Samaritan is how we treat Christ. The wounds are from disobedience. The donkey pictures Jesus carrying us to the church. The manager is the pastor, and like the Samaritan Jesus will return.
Mission Instructions
Luke 10:3-11 (NLT) Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves. Don’t take any money with you, nor a traveler’s bag, nor an extra pair of sandals. And don’t stop to greet anyone on the road.
“Whenever you enter someone’s home, first say, ‘May God’s peace be on this house.’ If those who live there are peaceful, the blessing will stand; if they are not, the blessing will return to you. Don’t move around from home to home. Stay in one place, eating and drinking what they provide. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve their pay.
“If you enter a town and it welcomes you, eat whatever is set before you. Heal the sick, and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God is near you now.’ But if a town refuses to welcome you, go out into its streets and say, ‘We wipe even the dust of your town from our feet to show that we have abandoned you to your fate. And know this—the Kingdom of God is near!’ …
Jesus' mission instructions included pray for helpers, beware of wolves, don’t take money, bags, extra sandals, don’t waste time in chit-chat, bring peace and fertile ground will reveal itself by peaceful responses, stay put, eat everything, hospitality is deserved pay, heal, tell them about the kingdom and if unwelcomed move on.
“Whenever you enter someone’s home, first say, ‘May God’s peace be on this house.’ If those who live there are peaceful, the blessing will stand; if they are not, the blessing will return to you. Don’t move around from home to home. Stay in one place, eating and drinking what they provide. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve their pay.
“If you enter a town and it welcomes you, eat whatever is set before you. Heal the sick, and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God is near you now.’ But if a town refuses to welcome you, go out into its streets and say, ‘We wipe even the dust of your town from our feet to show that we have abandoned you to your fate. And know this—the Kingdom of God is near!’ …
Jesus' mission instructions included pray for helpers, beware of wolves, don’t take money, bags, extra sandals, don’t waste time in chit-chat, bring peace and fertile ground will reveal itself by peaceful responses, stay put, eat everything, hospitality is deserved pay, heal, tell them about the kingdom and if unwelcomed move on.
Denying Jesus in Others
Luke 9:49-50 (NLT) John said to Jesus, “Master, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he isn’t in our group.” But Jesus said, “Don’t stop him! Anyone who is not against you is for you.”
These verses are important to include in any discussion between Christians, because they teach us not to condemn other denominations that believe in Jesus. As a lifelong Christ follower, I notice that even the best churches have major flaws, but we have the most important thing in common, a saving faith in Jesus.
These verses are important to include in any discussion between Christians, because they teach us not to condemn other denominations that believe in Jesus. As a lifelong Christ follower, I notice that even the best churches have major flaws, but we have the most important thing in common, a saving faith in Jesus.
Inclusion
Luke 8:38-39 The man who had been freed from the demons begged to go with him. But Jesus sent him home, saying, “No, go back to your family, and tell them everything God has done for you.” So he went all through the town proclaiming the great things Jesus had done for him.
Today’s generation may be insulted that not everyone is included in leadership opportunities in the church. But, Jesus excluded the former insane man from joining the disciples. Sometimes the master’s assignment for our lives is to go all through our town proclaiming the great things Jesus has done for us.
Today’s generation may be insulted that not everyone is included in leadership opportunities in the church. But, Jesus excluded the former insane man from joining the disciples. Sometimes the master’s assignment for our lives is to go all through our town proclaiming the great things Jesus has done for us.
Are we Ready
Luke 5:1-11 Do we experience Jesus at work? Are we ready to put our nets in? What’s our response to miracles? Are we humble about our sinfulness in the presence of Jesus? Is a church service incomplete without confession and pardon? Are we ready for the potential for our nets to break?
Have We Left All
Luke 5:11 They forsook all for Jesus, but then for a moment after the crucifixion, returned to their fishing. After His resurrection, Jesus used a similar miracle to remind them who He is. Do we hold something in reserve, or have we left ALL our sinful life behind us to follow Jesus?
Borne out of Water
Luke 5:9-10 As fish are borne out of water, so all disciples are born from the waters of baptism. Since that experience, Christians have throughout history described themselves as little fishes, and the symbol of a fish was used to identify a safe house, a Christian home in the midst of persecution.
Amazing
Luke 5:9-10 Slowly, after the work was done, it dawned on them how amazing this blessing was. Do we meditate on God’s amazing creation from the smallest DNA, to the incredible design of our planet, to the uniqueness of our solar system and enormity of the Universe? Does God’s design amaze us?
Unworthy
Luke 5:7-8 As Peter saw the overwhelming catch, he immediately recognized the source of the miraculous blessing. Blunt and truthful, Peter realized his own unworthiness to be in Jesus’ presence. When God blesses our lives in some way, do we react in a similar manner, grateful yet also embarrassed by our sinfulness?
Miracles and Work
Luke 5:7-8 Was the hand-signal used so as not to frighten the fish, or did they not want to shout in front of Jesus? Does this teach us that sometimes when God performs a miracle in the church, there’s no time for meditation or amazement? Can a miracle signal time for work?
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