Sermon

The Heart of Compassion

Stornoway Free Church of Scotland - Sermons

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  1. Let us begin our worship by singing together in God's praise in Psalm 67 of the Sing Psalms.

  2. You'll find that on page 84 of the Blue Book.

  3. Psalm 67, Sing Psalms, page 84.

  4. God be merciful and bless us.

  5. Shine upon us with your face, that the earth may know your actions and all lands your saving grace.

  6. O God, may the peoples praise you.

  7. May all peoples sing your praise, for you judge the nations justly, ruling over every race.

  8. May they sing with joy and gladness.

  9. May they all rejoice as one.

  10. O God, may the peoples praise you, as they all unite in song.

  11. Then the land will yield its harvest.

  12. God will pour his gifts abroad.

  13. God our God will surely bless us.

  14. All the earth will fear our God.

  15. We'll stand and we'll sing these verses together.

  16. God be merciful and bless us.

  17. God be merciful and bless us.

  18. Shine upon us with your face,

  19. That the earth may know your actions, and all lands your saving grace.

  20. O God, may the peoples praise you.

  21. May all peoples sing your praise.

  22. May they all rejoice as one.

  23. O God, may the peoples praise you.

  24. May they all unite in song.

  25. Then the land will yield its harvest.

  26. God will pour its gifts abroad.

  27. God our God.

  28. God our God will surely bless us.

  29. All the earth will fear our God.

  30. May we turn our minds and our hearts towards God in prayer.

  31. May we pray together.

  32. God our Father in heaven.

  33. Our Father in heaven, we thank you again for this day that you have given to us and this opportunity

  34. to gather again under your word and in the power of your name,

  35. Redeemering to the усл Мы of the Spirit and By the электros of our LORD who pray for us to God in peace.

  36. "...

  37. And we pray that we would know it in our lives that is worth trusting in.

  38. And we pray that we would know it in our lives as a power that is worth trusting in.

  39. And a hope that goes beyond anything that this world can offer.

  40. Lord, we pray that as we gather here as your people tonight,

  41. that we would know the power of your spirit that was left with your people.

  42. That it would still be active amongst us tonight.

  43. And through the reading of your word, speak to us.

  44. Speak to our minds.

  45. Speak to our hearts.

  46. Speak to the deepest concerns that we have.

  47. Speak to our worries.

  48. Speak to our needs.

  49. For you know us greater and in a greater sense than we know ourselves.

  50. You know what is best for us as a father.

  51. God who loves us knows what is best for his children.

  52. And so to whom else can we go?

  53. For if we go around chasing the schemes and methods of man,

  54. we have found out to our own foolishness that they are empty.

  55. And they leave us empty.

  56. And they leave us wondering what is there to this life.

  57. As many of us have asked that question.

  58. We pray in you we find an answer.

  59. In the Lord Jesus Christ.

  60. And what he has done for us.

  61. We thank you that in recent days,

  62. there have been men and women in leadership over us

  63. who have read the gospel to the nations.

  64. Whether willingly or not,

  65. your word has been read.

  66. And we pray that this reading would take root in the hearts of men and women

  67. who are in need.

  68. We thank you for the life of our Queen.

  69. And how she gave you the honour.

  70. And how she gave service to you,

  71. Lord, as her King.

  72. We pray for our new worldly King.

  73. That he would be one that would come to trust fully in you.

  74. And confess the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour likewise.

  75. Lord, we pray for each of us in our situations.

  76. Whether it be in school, whether it be in study.

  77. We remember the students who have left home for the first time.

  78. We ask you would be with them.

  79. And we remember the ones who need to uphold their faith in you.

  80. And are challenged by their faith.

  81. We pray that you give them strength to do so.

  82. And encourage them in every difficult step that they take.

  83. That they would not be ashamed to say that I am a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ.

  84. Contrary to what this world thinks of Christ.

  85. But let that be true of everyone that is gathered here tonight also.

  86. That we would not be ashamed of the one who has redeemed us.

  87. As we look at ourselves, we see.

  88. And we pray that we see.

  89. Sin in us.

  90. Sin in us.

  91. That we must confess.

  92. And the sin that is within us.

  93. Leaves us guilty before God.

  94. And in no way can we enter his presence because of our sin.

  95. And so we need someone.

  96. To wash away our sins.

  97. Someone to pay the price of sin.

  98. And so Jesus Christ has been that man to us.

  99. We thank you for all that he has done.

  100. And as we come to look on your word.

  101. Illuminate our minds.

  102. Open our eyes.

  103. Unblock our ears.

  104. To the sacrifice that was paid at Calvary.

  105. And the love that Jesus Christ had.

  106. In going to our place.

  107. Where he allowed men to spit upon him.

  108. People to mock him and ridicule him.

  109. People to hammer nails through his hands.

  110. And leave him to die.

  111. In such a terrible way.

  112. But we thank you that that was not the end of the story.

  113. And you are one that has been risen.

  114. You are exalted.

  115. Beyond all men.

  116. You are the son of God.

  117. As you showed yourself to be.

  118. So we pray we know you.

  119. In a way that is personal to us.

  120. In a way that we can trust in you.

  121. No matter what is said before us in our lives.

  122. Whether we are in the depths of despair.

  123. Or whether we are walking with ease.

  124. Lord we pray.

  125. You answer us in our need.

  126. And meet us.

  127. At our need too.

  128. We pray for Mr. McKeever.

  129. As he takes rest.

  130. And holiday.

  131. We pray that you may revive him.

  132. And restore him.

  133. And we pray for.

  134. Callum Murdoch Smith.

  135. That he would set Lynn and the family.

  136. To this congregation.

  137. And we pray.

  138. That the preaching of the word.

  139. Would take effect.

  140. In our town.

  141. For there are many that need it.

  142. We pray.

  143. That you give us understanding.

  144. On how to do these things.

  145. And how to share the gospel.

  146. In a way that is gentle.

  147. And loving.

  148. And not in ways that.

  149. Make people.

  150. Turn away.

  151. From the hope that is within us.

  152. Lord give us compassion.

  153. For people.

  154. And a love.

  155. For the souls that are lost.

  156. Be with us.

  157. Now we pray.

  158. May your spirit.

  159. Be with us.

  160. As we look at your word.

  161. We ask these things.

  162. In the name.

  163. And power.

  164. Of the Lord.

  165. Jesus Christ.

  166. Amen.

  167. If we could continue.

  168. In our.

  169. Praise of God.

  170. By singing to him.

  171. In Psalm.

  172. 143.

  173. Of the Scottish Psalter.

  174. You'll find that.

  175. On page.

  176. 439.

  177. Of the Blue Book.

  178. Psalm.

  179. 143.

  180. Second version.

  181. Page.

  182. 439.

  183. Of the Blue Book.

  184. From the beginning.

  185. Oh hear my prayer.

  186. Lord.

  187. And unto my.

  188. Desire.

  189. To bow.

  190. Thine ear.

  191. Accord.

  192. I humbly.

  193. Thee require.

  194. And in thy faithfulness.

  195. Unto me.

  196. Answer.

  197. Make.

  198. And in thy righteousness.

  199. Upon me.

  200. Pity.

  201. Take.

  202. We'll sing down.

  203. To the end.

  204. Of verse.

  205. Mark 5.

  206. Yet I do call to mind.

  207. What ancient days record.

  208. Thy works.

  209. Of every kind.

  210. I think.

  211. Upon.

  212. Oh Lord.

  213. And we'll stand.

  214. And sing.

  215. These verses.

  216. To God's praise.

  217. O hear my prayer.

  218. O hear Lord.

  219. And unto my desire.

  220. To bow thy dear accord.

  221. I humbly.

  222. I humbly.

  223. Thee require.

  224. And in thy faithfulness.

  225. Unto me.

  226. Answer me.

  227. And in thy righteousness.

  228. Upon me pity take.

  229. In church and tender not.

  230. With me thy servant poor.

  231. For why this well I ought.

  232. No sinner can endure.

  233. The sight of thee O God.

  234. If thou hast deed shalt try.

  235. He dare make none uphold.

  236. Himself to justify.

  237. Behold the cruel foe.

  238. Me persecute this fight.

  239. My soul to overthrow.

  240. O yea.

  241. Yea.

  242. Ye be my life.

  243. Thine quite.

  244. And to the ground thine smote.

  245. And made thee dwell full low.

  246. In darkness as for God.

  247. Our men can long ago.

  248. Therefore my state much vexed.

  249. For wellness be within.

  250. My heart my sore perplexed.

  251. And death's all it hath been.

  252. Yet I do call to mind.

  253. What ancient history court.

  254. Thy works of every kind.

  255. I think upon the Lord.

  256. If we can turn now to the Gospel of Luke.

  257. Luke.

  258. The Gospel of Luke chapter 10.

    Luke 10 chapter mention

  259. And we'll read from verse 21.

  260. The Gospel of Luke chapter 10.

    Luke 10 chapter mention

  261. Verse 21.

  262. We'll look at the parable of the Good Samaritan.

  263. Let us hear God's word.

  264. In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said.

  265. I thank you Father Lord of heaven and earth.

  266. That you have not.

  267. That you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding.

  268. And revealed them to little children.

  269. Yes Father.

  270. For such was your gracious will.

  271. All things have been handed over to me by my Father.

  272. And no one knows who the Son is.

  273. Except the Father.

  274. Or who the Father is.

  275. Except the Son.

  276. And anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.

  277. Then turning to the disciples.

  278. He said privately.

  279. Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.

  280. For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see.

  281. And did not see it.

  282. And to hear what you hear.

  283. And did not hear it.

  284. And behold a lawyer stood up to him.

  285. To put him to the test.

  286. Saying.

  287. Teacher.

  288. What shall I do to inherit eternal life?

  289. He said to him.

  290. What is written in the law?

  291. How do you read it?

  292. And he answered.

  293. You shall love the Lord your God.

  294. With all your heart.

  295. With all your soul.

  296. With all your strength.

  297. And with all your mind.

  298. And your neighbour as yourself.

  299. And he said.

  300. To whom.

  301. You have answered correctly.

  302. Do this.

  303. And you will live.

  304. But he desiring to justify himself.

  305. Said to Jesus.

  306. And who is my neighbour?

  307. Jesus replied.

  308. A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho.

  309. And he fell among robbers.

  310. Who stripped him.

  311. And bet him.

  312. And departed.

  313. Leaving him half dead.

  314. Now by chance.

  315. A priest was going down that road.

  316. And when he saw him.

  317. He passed by on the other side.

  318. So likewise.

  319. A Levite.

  320. When he came to the place.

  321. And saw him.

  322. Passed by on the other side.

  323. But a Samaritan.

  324. As he journeyed.

  325. Came to where he was.

  326. And when he saw him.

  327. He had compassion.

  328. When he went to him.

  329. And bound up his wounds.

  330. Pouring on oil.

  331. Pouring on oil.

  332. And wine.

  333. Then he set him on his own animal.

  334. And brought him to an inn.

  335. And took care of him.

  336. And the next day.

  337. He took out two denarii.

  338. And gave them to the innkeeper.

  339. Saying.

  340. Take care of him.

  341. And whatever more you spend.

  342. I will repay you.

  343. When I come back.

  344. Which of these three.

  345. Do you think proved.

  346. To be a neighbor.

  347. To the man.

  348. Who fell among the robbers.

  349. He said.

  350. The one.

  351. Who showed him mercy.

  352. And Jesus said to him.

  353. You go.

  354. And do.

  355. Likewise.

  356. Amen.

  357. May the reading of God's word.

  358. Be blessed.

  359. To us.

  360. We'll continue in our praise.

  361. By singing.

  362. And sing.

  363. Psalms.

  364. 92.

  365. A.

  366. You'll find that on page.

  367. One.

  368. Two.

  369. Two.

  370. Two.

  371. Of the blue book.

  372. Psalm.

  373. 92.

  374. A.

  375. One.

  376. Two.

  377. Two.

  378. And we'll sing.

  379. From verse.

  380. March.

  381. Five.

  382. How great.

  383. Are all your works.

  384. Oh Lord.

  385. Your thoughts.

  386. How deep.

  387. And grand.

  388. The senseless one.

  389. Does not perceive.

  390. The fools.

  391. Do not understand.

  392. Although the wicked.

  393. Spring like grass.

  394. The foolish.

  395. Do not see.

  396. That all who flourish.

  397. In their sin.

  398. Will die.

  399. Eternally.

  400. But Lord.

  401. You are forever more.

  402. Exalted.

  403. Very high.

  404. All evil doers.

  405. Will be crushed.

  406. Your foes.

  407. Will surely die.

  408. You made me.

  409. Strong.

  410. As any ox.

  411. With oil.

  412. Anointed me.

  413. I've seen.

  414. My enemies.

  415. Defeat.

  416. And I.

  417. Have heard them.

  418. Flee.

  419. Like palms.

  420. And cedars.

  421. Flourishing.

  422. The righteous.

  423. All will be.

  424. And planted.

  425. In the house.

  426. Of God.

  427. Will grow.

  428. Abundantly.

  429. We'll stand together.

  430. And sing.

  431. Together.

  432. To God's praise.

  433. How great are all your works.

  434. O Lord.

  435. How great are all your works.

  436. O Lord.

  437. Your thoughts are deep and grand.

  438. The senseless one.

  439. The senseless one.

  440. Does not perceive.

  441. The senseless one.

  442. Does not perceive.

  443. Whose do not understand.

  444. Although the wicked spring like grass.

  445. The foolish do not see.

  446. That all who flourished in their sin.

  447. The foolish do not see.

  448. That all who flourished in their sin.

  449. Will die eternally.

  450. The wicked.

  451. The wicked spring like grass.

  452. The foolish do not see.

  453. The foolish do not see.

  454. The foolish do not see.

  455. That all who flourished in their sin.

  456. That all who flourished in their sin.

  457. Will die eternally.

  458. The foolish.

  459. Will die eternally.

  460. But Lord, you are forevermore, exalted, very high.

  461. All evil doers will be crushed, your foes will surely die.

  462. You made me strong as any ox, with oil anointed me.

  463. I've seen my enemies defeat, and I have heard them flee.

  464. Like hands and seaters vanishing, the righteous all will be.

  465. And planted in the house of God, will grow abundantly.

  466. I can turn together back to the Gospel of Luke, chapter 10.

    Luke 10 chapter mention

  467. And we'll look tonight at the parable of the Good Samaritan.

  468. And for their text, we'll consider what the lawyer asked of Jesus.

  469. Saying in verse 25,

  470. Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

  471. What shall I do to inherit eternal life?

  472. I wonder, did any of us do anything last week

  473. that would have justified someone saying of us that,

  474. well, you're a good Samaritan.

  475. Did we do anything for anyone that was not expected of us?

  476. And there are many of us here who know this story,

  477. this parable.

  478. And even if we don't know the story,

  479. we are quite familiar with people saying of someone that does a good deed,

  480. that they are a good Samaritan.

  481. Or, what you did, you are like a good Samaritan.

  482. In what you have done for someone,

  483. or in doing something for the good of someone else.

  484. And maybe this account, we have known it from our youth,

  485. and can be guilty of saying that it is one of these stories that we know.

  486. And we've become so familiar with it that we can skiff over it when we read it.

  487. We know what happens in the parable.

  488. We know the outcome.

  489. We know it's a lesson to love our neighbour.

  490. And it echoes where, elsewhere, it is taught in the Gospel of Matthew.

  491. So whatever you wish that others would do to you,

  492. do also to them.

  493. And this idea and teaching, it's beneficial for everyone,

  494. I'm sure we'll all agree.

  495. It's undeniably good, but undeniably, if we're honest with ourselves,

  496. we struggle to do the things that we would think a good Samaritan would do.

  497. And very rarely, we are the good Samaritan.

  498. We tend to look after ourselves more than we care for the needs of others.

  499. And there are many people in this world who would totally disregard this idea.

  500. Of looking out for others.

  501. And only to look after their own wants and their own needs.

  502. And for those who want or desire to be as the good Samaritan,

  503. it is a continual learning for us.

  504. For us to love our neighbour as ourselves.

  505. And I think it would do us good, every morning if we were to pray,

  506. that we would know how to love our neighbour as ourselves.

  507. And I'm sure that in every day we would find a new way to do that,

  508. or to fulfil that in some way.

  509. And as we look at the account and the parable that we have before us,

  510. we can see that there are two distinct characteristics that come out clear to us.

  511. There's two hearts, in a sense, of two different people.

  512. We have a heart of contempt,

  513. and we have afterwards a heart of compassion that comes.

  514. So we'll use that as points.

  515. The heart of contempt and the heart of compassion.

  516. So beginning with the heart of contempt,

  517. this heart will be applicable to the lawyer that we meet at the beginning of the passage.

  518. It's also applicable to the priest and the Levite.

  519. But really it all comes back to the lawyer.

  520. Because this story was told in relation to him.

  521. And to feel contempt, well contempt means to feel despised towards something,

  522. or someone,

  523. or to dishonour them in some way.

  524. Even to feel them as worthless.

  525. That's what contempt means.

  526. To despise someone,

  527. dishonour them,

  528. to feel them as worthless.

  529. And that is something that we can see comes through in the parable that Jesus teaches.

  530. And something that we can firstly pick out

  531. in the lawyer himself who comes.

  532. But as before we do that,

  533. it's always good when you look at these passages

  534. just to go back a wee bit

  535. to see if there's anything that we can pick up

  536. that helps us to understand the passage.

  537. And if you look at verse 21,

  538. it says,

  539. this is prior to the account,

  540. it says that,

  541. in that same hour,

  542. he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit,

  543. I thank you Father,

  544. Lord of heaven and earth,

  545. that you have hidden these things

  546. from the wise and understanding

  547. and revealed them to little children.

  548. Yes, Father,

  549. such was your gracious will.

  550. Particularly hidden these things

  551. from the wise and understanding

  552. because then,

  553. just a few verses later,

  554. in comes this lawyer,

  555. in verse 25.

  556. And he would have been a Jewish lawyer.

  557. So we can understand

  558. that the Jewish people

  559. used the Bible,

  560. Old Testament,

  561. as their law.

  562. This Jewish lawyer

  563. would have been in charge

  564. of their religious laws

  565. as well as their civil laws

  566. because they would have lived

  567. according to the laws of the Bible.

  568. So if there was ever a person

  569. that would be wise and understanding,

  570. well,

  571. here he is,

  572. standing before Jesus.

  573. He knew the law of God

  574. on his fingertips.

  575. And it would seem that,

  576. well,

  577. maybe he would agree

  578. that he was wise

  579. and understanding

  580. because it says

  581. that he came to put Jesus

  582. to the test.

  583. And straight away,

  584. even in that,

  585. there is contempt

  586. towards Jesus.

  587. There is dishonor

  588. towards Jesus

  589. because he's saying,

  590. straight away,

  591. my wisdom

  592. and understanding

  593. is greater than yours.

  594. I can put you to the test

  595. and I'm pretty sure

  596. I'll catch you out.

  597. But the truth of Jesus' words

  598. soon becomes clear.

  599. And it is fulfilled

  600. in front of the people's eyes

  601. that the wise and understanding

  602. don't get it

  603. in a sense.

  604. So we need to be careful ourselves.

  605. When we think

  606. we've grasped the Bible

  607. or there are puts in the Bible

  608. that we understand

  609. because,

  610. well,

  611. in my experience,

  612. and I'm sure others

  613. can say likewise,

  614. that you can be surprised

  615. by what you learn

  616. in passages

  617. that are so familiar

  618. to you.

  619. Not that I'm saying

  620. that you learn

  621. anything new tonight.

  622. Maybe we will.

  623. What does Jesus

  624. ask of the lawyer?

  625. No,

  626. what does the lawyer

  627. ask Jesus?

  628. What was his first question

  629. there in verse 25,

  630. our text?

  631. Teacher,

  632. what shall I do

  633. to inherit

  634. eternal life?

  635. This wise and understanding

  636. man comes

  637. and he asks,

  638. well,

  639. really the question

  640. of all questions.

  641. What must I do

  642. to inherit

  643. eternal life?

  644. A million dollar

  645. question.

  646. If there was one

  647. that we could answer

  648. tonight,

  649. I'm sure we would love

  650. to know the answer

  651. to it.

  652. there's something

  653. in our desire

  654. to have eternal life

  655. that we kind of want

  656. to have eternal life.

  657. There's something that,

  658. no matter how bad life is,

  659. there's something that wants

  660. a continuality,

  661. a continuous

  662. of what we have

  663. to continue.

  664. And it says

  665. in Ecclesiastes

  666. that God

  667. has put eternity

  668. into man's heart.

  669. It's a desire

  670. for something more

  671. or something

  672. to continue.

  673. But you'll see

  674. in the question

  675. that he asks

  676. that there is

  677. actually a small

  678. error in it.

  679. He asks,

  680. what shall I do

  681. to inherit

  682. eternal life?

  683. Because there is

  684. nothing that we

  685. can do

  686. to inherit

  687. eternal life.

  688. There's nothing

  689. we can do

  690. to gain a space

  691. or a spot

  692. in heaven

  693. in our doing

  694. as he came

  695. to ask him.

  696. And it seems

  697. to me

  698. like if you were there

  699. listening to this

  700. conversation,

  701. it would be quite

  702. an interesting

  703. and maybe entertaining

  704. place to sit

  705. or to stand.

  706. This wise

  707. and understanding

  708. man's come along

  709. and he's asked

  710. the million dollar

  711. question to Jesus,

  712. what shall I do

  713. to inherit

  714. eternal life?

  715. And they'd be

  716. thinking,

  717. well,

  718. this man's

  719. pretty high up

  720. there to attain

  721. eternal life

  722. because of the

  723. man that he is.

  724. And you're just

  725. wondering to see,

  726. well,

  727. what's he going

  728. to say

  729. and which way

  730. is this going

  731. to go?

  732. And Jesus

  733. just seems

  734. to play along

  735. with this question,

  736. teacher,

  737. what shall I do?

  738. He doesn't

  739. make a thing

  740. of that.

  741. He just plays

  742. along with him.

  743. And he asks

  744. of the lawyer

  745. pretty much

  746. saying to him

  747. in verse 26,

  748. you're the lawyer,

  749. you're the wise

  750. and understanding.

  751. What is written

  752. in the law

  753. and how do

  754. you understand

  755. it?

  756. How do you

  757. read it?

  758. And the reply

  759. that he gives

  760. comes straight

  761. from the

  762. word of God.

  763. Deuteronomy

    Deuteronomy 6:5

  764. 6,

  765. verse 5,

  766. you shall love

  767. the Lord your God

  768. with all your heart,

  769. with all your soul,

  770. with all your strength,

  771. with all your mind.

  772. And then he goes

  773. to Leviticus,

  774. your neighbor

  775. as yourself.

  776. You may have

  777. references in your

  778. Bible to these

  779. verses.

  780. Where they come

  781. from.

  782. But if you were

  783. to go to

  784. Deuteronomy

  785. and look this

  786. passage up,

  787. there's some

  788. error

  789. in not what

  790. he's quoted,

  791. but in a sense

  792. where he stops.

  793. Because if you

  794. would continue

  795. in reading

  796. what it says

  797. in Deuteronomy

    Deuteronomy 6:5

  798. 6,

  799. verse 5,

  800. it would continue

  801. and say that

  802. all these words

  803. that I command

  804. you to do

  805. shall be

  806. on your heart.

  807. they shall

  808. be on your

  809. heart.

  810. And it's as if

  811. this lawyer

  812. is coming

  813. with all these

  814. things in his

  815. head.

  816. They haven't

  817. made an imprint

  818. into his

  819. heart

  820. because he's

  821. looking for ways

  822. to attain

  823. his salvation

  824. by what he

  825. can do.

  826. And the second

  827. reference in

  828. Leviticus,

  829. where his

  830. father question

  831. comes,

  832. he says,

  833. to love

  834. your neighbor

  835. as

  836. yourself.

  837. To love

  838. your neighbor

  839. as yourself.

  840. And when you

  841. go to

  842. Leviticus,

  843. you need to

  844. go back to

  845. these passages

  846. just to get a

  847. clearer understanding.

  848. When you go

  849. to Leviticus,

  850. it says,

  851. and references

  852. the sons of

  853. your own

  854. people,

  855. when it

  856. speaks about

  857. your neighbor.

  858. So,

  859. if he's a

  860. Jewish lawyer

  861. and he's

  862. thinking that

  863. he needs to

  864. love his

  865. neighbor,

  866. and it

  867. references

  868. beside that

  869. in Leviticus,

  870. the sons of

  871. your own

  872. people,

  873. he's probably,

  874. he needs

  875. clarity on it,

  876. but he's

  877. probably thinking

  878. either that

  879. this is

  880. his family,

  881. his own

  882. people,

  883. it could be

  884. the tribe,

  885. this right

  886. tribe of

  887. his own

  888. people,

  889. or maybe

  890. even the

  891. whole people

  892. of the

  893. Jewish

  894. nation.

  895. So,

  896. he comes

  897. along

  898. with this

  899. other

  900. question

  901. of

  902. who

  903. is

  904. his

  905. neighbor,

  906. desiring

  907. to

  908. justify

  909. himself,

  910. and that

  911. justify

  912. himself

  913. means

  914. to clear

  915. himself,

  916. to prove

  917. himself

  918. just

  919. in all

  920. that he

  921. did,

  922. and in all

  923. that he

  924. loved,

  925. trying to

  926. work himself

  927. that space

  928. and what

  929. he can

  930. do

  931. to attain

  932. that

  933. place

  934. in heaven.

  935. He has

  936. a query

  937. over

  938. where the

  939. line comes

  940. in of

  941. his neighbor,

  942. who do

  943. I need

  944. to love,

  945. and where

  946. does my

  947. love,

  948. where can

  949. I stop?

  950. Hence,

  951. the

  952. Samaritan.

  953. Because

  954. this is

  955. the last

  956. person

  957. he would

  958. have had

  959. on his

  960. list of

  961. neighborly

  962. possibilities,

  963. on people

  964. that he

  965. would have

  966. wanted to

  967. love,

  968. because the

  969. Jews and

  970. Samaritans

  971. had a

  972. kind of

  973. deep

  974. hatred

  975. between

  976. each

  977. other.

  978. He

  979. couldn't

  980. imagine

  981. loving

  982. this

  983. Samaritan,

  984. or even

  985. being loved

  986. by this

  987. Samaritan.

  988. But we

  989. leave the

  990. Samaritan

  991. just now.

  992. We're not

  993. quite ready

  994. to go

  995. and meet

  996. him.

  997. We've

  998. seen

  999. the

  1000. lawyer.

  1001. Let us

  1002. look at

  1003. the

  1004. parable.

  1005. The story

  1006. is told

  1007. when we

  1008. read from

  1009. verse 30.

  1010. Jesus

  1011. said,

  1012. Jesus replied,

  1013. a man was

  1014. going down

  1015. from Jerusalem

  1016. to Jericho

  1017. and he

  1018. fell among

  1019. the robbers

  1020. who stripped

  1021. him and

  1022. bit him

  1023. and departed,

  1024. leaving him

  1025. half dead.

  1026. Now by chance

  1027. a priest was

  1028. going down

  1029. that road

  1030. and when he

  1031. saw him

  1032. he passed

  1033. on the

  1034. other side.

  1035. So likewise

  1036. a Levite,

  1037. when he came

  1038. to the place

  1039. and saw

  1040. him,

  1041. passed by

  1042. on the

  1043. other side.

  1044. We have

  1045. a man

  1046. who had

  1047. a plan

  1048. for his

  1049. day.

  1050. He was

  1051. going

  1052. from

  1053. Jerusalem

  1054. to

  1055. Jericho

  1056. and

  1057. he was

  1058. likely

  1059. a Jew

  1060. and why

  1061. he went

  1062. we are

  1063. not told

  1064. but he

  1065. was robbed

  1066. and left

  1067. for dead.

  1068. Now

  1069. there's a

  1070. possibility

  1071. here that

  1072. this man

  1073. well what

  1074. I read

  1075. was that

  1076. the

  1077. it's

  1078. quite

  1079. likely

  1080. that

  1081. the

  1082. priests

  1083. and

  1084. the

  1085. Levites

  1086. would

  1087. stay

  1088. in

  1089. Jericho

  1090. and

  1091. then

  1092. they

  1093. would

  1094. come

  1095. into

  1096. Jerusalem

  1097. to

  1098. work

  1099. and

  1100. one

  1101. of

  1102. the

  1103. people

  1104. I read

  1105. I can't

  1106. remember

  1107. who it

  1108. was

  1109. but said

  1110. that

  1111. it's

  1112. possible

  1113. that

  1114. this

  1115. person

  1116. who was

  1117. going

  1118. to

  1119. Jericho

  1120. could

  1121. have

  1122. been

  1123. a

  1124. religious

  1125. priest

  1126. Levite

  1127. someone

  1128. of that

  1129. order

  1130. but he

  1131. was robbed

  1132. and he

  1133. was left

  1134. for dead

  1135. and along

  1136. came a

  1137. priest

  1138. who you

  1139. read

  1140. passed by

  1141. on the

  1142. other

  1143. side

  1144. as if

  1145. pretending

  1146. not to

  1147. see him

  1148. and so

  1149. comes the

  1150. Levite

  1151. does exactly

  1152. the same

  1153. thing

  1154. not wanting

  1155. anything to

  1156. do with

  1157. him in a

  1158. sense

  1159. turning a

  1160. blind eye

  1161. to his

  1162. desperate

  1163. need

  1164. that was

  1165. evident

  1166. they have

  1167. contempt

  1168. in their

  1169. hearts

  1170. they see

  1171. this man

  1172. as

  1173. worthless

  1174. even if

  1175. it was

  1176. someone of

  1177. his own

  1178. people

  1179. and I

  1180. believe

  1181. Jesus

  1182. is maybe

  1183. speaking

  1184. to this

  1185. lawyer

  1186. in a

  1187. way like

  1188. that

  1189. was this

  1190. priest

  1191. Levi

  1192. someone

  1193. that he

  1194. would

  1195. associate

  1196. himself

  1197. with

  1198. more

  1199. closely

  1200. than

  1201. others

  1202. but a

  1203. point in

  1204. passing

  1205. also

  1206. is that

  1207. when it

  1208. says that

  1209. the

  1210. Levite

  1211. and the

  1212. priest

  1213. saw him

  1214. there's

  1215. more to

  1216. it than

  1217. just

  1218. see and

  1219. carry on

  1220. in a

  1221. way

  1222. it's a

  1223. different

  1224. word

  1225. than

  1226. what is

  1227. used

  1228. in verse

  1229. 23

  1230. when it

  1231. speaks

  1232. about

  1233. blessed

  1234. are the

  1235. eyes

  1236. that

  1237. see

  1238. what

  1239. you

  1240. see

  1241. the

  1242. word

  1243. that's

  1244. used

  1245. about

  1246. the

  1247. priest

  1248. and the

  1249. Levite

  1250. when they

  1251. saw him

  1252. it's

  1253. more than

  1254. seeing

  1255. it's

  1256. actually

  1257. perceiving

  1258. and

  1259. understanding

  1260. so they

  1261. saw

  1262. and understood

  1263. the plight

  1264. of this

  1265. man

  1266. but they

  1267. continued

  1268. on their

  1269. way

  1270. which makes

  1271. it worse

  1272. in a

  1273. sense

  1274. that they

  1275. just saw

  1276. it

  1277. and carried

  1278. on

  1279. and there

  1280. are suggestions

  1281. why the

  1282. men reacted

  1283. like this

  1284. that if

  1285. maybe they

  1286. came into

  1287. contact

  1288. with this

  1289. man

  1290. and he

  1291. died

  1292. there would

  1293. be certain

  1294. Jewish laws

  1295. that they

  1296. would have

  1297. to go

  1298. through

  1299. and purify

  1300. themselves

  1301. and you

  1302. can imagine

  1303. if they're

  1304. in a sense

  1305. you can't

  1306. well

  1307. I don't know

  1308. if this is

  1309. right but

  1310. you can kind of

  1311. imagine

  1312. they've been

  1313. in Jerusalem

  1314. and now

  1315. they're off

  1316. duty

  1317. they're going

  1318. home

  1319. to Jericho

  1320. and they

  1321. see this

  1322. man

  1323. in desperate

  1324. need at the

  1325. side of

  1326. the road

  1327. and it

  1328. can be

  1329. almost

  1330. that

  1331. well

  1332. this has

  1333. nothing to

  1334. do with

  1335. me now

  1336. this is

  1337. going to

  1338. be a

  1339. great

  1340. inconvenience

  1341. for the

  1342. plans that

  1343. I have

  1344. while I'm

  1345. off

  1346. or the

  1347. plans that

  1348. I have

  1349. for this

  1350. even if

  1351. this man

  1352. if I

  1353. administer

  1354. care to

  1355. this man

  1356. and he

  1357. dies

  1358. so all

  1359. these selfish

  1360. things

  1361. the love

  1362. of themselves

  1363. they would

  1364. have to

  1365. purify

  1366. there would

  1367. be an

  1368. inconvenience

  1369. for them

  1370. to help

  1371. this man

  1372. and if he

  1373. were to

  1374. die

  1375. to purify

  1376. themselves

  1377. this may

  1378. well be

  1379. the reason

  1380. we don't

  1381. know

  1382. we can't

  1383. actually say

  1384. but they

  1385. are both

  1386. men that

  1387. have been

  1388. set aside

  1389. for the

  1390. works of

  1391. God

  1392. the priest

  1393. and the

  1394. Levite

  1395. ones that

  1396. the Jews

  1397. would have

  1398. looked up

  1399. to

  1400. and as

  1401. we said

  1402. one that

  1403. this lawyer

  1404. probably

  1405. found

  1406. association

  1407. with

  1408. easier

  1409. than if it

  1410. was anyone

  1411. else

  1412. that Jesus

  1413. had said

  1414. Jesus

  1415. seems to

  1416. make the

  1417. case of

  1418. maybe

  1419. what

  1420. you're

  1421. not

  1422. doing

  1423. you know

  1424. you're

  1425. wanting to

  1426. draw the

  1427. line on

  1428. what you

  1429. can do

  1430. and it's

  1431. not about

  1432. what you

  1433. can get

  1434. off with

  1435. not doing

  1436. there's no

  1437. lines to

  1438. loving your

  1439. neighbour

  1440. there's no

  1441. limit

  1442. to loving

  1443. your neighbour

  1444. and maybe

  1445. today

  1446. it speaks

  1447. to

  1448. the

  1449. Christians

  1450. that are

  1451. gathered

  1452. here

  1453. under

  1454. myself

  1455. whoever

  1456. we are

  1457. we can

  1458. often fall

  1459. into

  1460. traps

  1461. of selfish

  1462. desires

  1463. selfish

  1464. ambitions

  1465. of what

  1466. we want

  1467. to do

  1468. and we

  1469. don't want

  1470. to get

  1471. involved

  1472. in things

  1473. that we

  1474. can say

  1475. that's got

  1476. nothing to

  1477. do with

  1478. me

  1479. stuff that

  1480. will consume

  1481. my time

  1482. stuff that

  1483. will be an

  1484. inconvenience

  1485. to me

  1486. things that

  1487. are going

  1488. on in

  1489. our nation

  1490. that we

  1491. don't want

  1492. to get

  1493. involved

  1494. with

  1495. because

  1496. they're

  1497. going to

  1498. take up

  1499. so much

  1500. time

  1501. and it

  1502. could be

  1503. such an

  1504. inconvenience

  1505. but there

  1506. is something

  1507. maybe worth

  1508. mentioning in

  1509. passing as

  1510. well which

  1511. I feel

  1512. is well

  1513. it's not

  1514. the point

  1515. of Christ's

  1516. teaching

  1517. here but

  1518. it's just

  1519. beneficial for

  1520. us to

  1521. note within

  1522. ourselves and

  1523. even myself

  1524. that we

  1525. can walk

  1526. by things

  1527. or people

  1528. in our

  1529. experience and

  1530. we feel

  1531. that we

  1532. cannot

  1533. help

  1534. though our

  1535. heart is

  1536. rightly

  1537. concerned

  1538. for the

  1539. person or

  1540. their need

  1541. we just

  1542. feel in

  1543. ourselves

  1544. an inadequacy

  1545. we think

  1546. that maybe

  1547. we hold

  1548. back because

  1549. we don't

  1550. have a

  1551. sufficient

  1552. ability to

  1553. help so

  1554. much that

  1555. we actually

  1556. restrict or

  1557. stop giving

  1558. any help or

  1559. rightful care

  1560. that we

  1561. have and

  1562. should have

  1563. for one

  1564. another in

  1565. loving our

  1566. neighbor we

  1567. feel like we're

  1568. not inadequate

  1569. and then we

  1570. actually do

  1571. nothing we

  1572. don't know

  1573. what to say

  1574. we end up

  1575. saying nothing

  1576. we don't

  1577. know what to

  1578. do and end

  1579. up doing

  1580. nothing

  1581. and I'm sure

  1582. it's something

  1583. that we can

  1584. all relate to

  1585. and it's

  1586. something that

  1587. we need to

  1588. learn continually

  1589. on how we

  1590. must learn

  1591. to love

  1592. our neighbor

  1593. the lawyer

  1594. got his

  1595. answer to

  1596. the question

  1597. in this

  1598. story

  1599. maybe it

  1600. was to

  1601. shame

  1602. the contempt

  1603. he had

  1604. to love

  1605. others

  1606. even

  1607. I think

  1608. Jesus is

  1609. maybe making

  1610. a point to

  1611. him and

  1612. saying

  1613. you're asking

  1614. who do I

  1615. need to

  1616. love

  1617. and it's

  1618. almost as if

  1619. he's saying

  1620. to him

  1621. you're like

  1622. this Levite

  1623. and you

  1624. don't even

  1625. love your

  1626. own people

  1627. you don't

  1628. even have

  1629. a love

  1630. for your

  1631. own

  1632. to his

  1633. shame

  1634. and we

  1635. have two

  1636. people in

  1637. this passage

  1638. that show

  1639. contempt

  1640. towards

  1641. this man

  1642. and the

  1643. lawyer himself

  1644. contempt

  1645. and there's

  1646. only one

  1647. that shows

  1648. compassion

  1649. so it's

  1650. as if

  1651. contempt

  1652. in this

  1653. world

  1654. is far

  1655. more

  1656. common

  1657. than the

  1658. one that

  1659. shows

  1660. compassion

  1661. so let

  1662. us move

  1663. to the

  1664. man

  1665. of

  1666. compassion

  1667. and this

  1668. heart is

  1669. applicable

  1670. to the

  1671. Samaritan

  1672. he is

  1673. our example

  1674. on how

  1675. to love

  1676. our

  1677. neighbor

  1678. the story

  1679. continues

  1680. the parable

  1681. continues

  1682. from verse

  1683. 33

  1684. but a

  1685. Samaritan

  1686. as he

  1687. journeyed

  1688. came to

  1689. where he

  1690. was

  1691. and when

  1692. he saw

  1693. him

  1694. he had

  1695. compassion

  1696. he went

  1697. to him

  1698. and bound

  1699. up his

  1700. wounds

  1701. pouring oil

  1702. and wine

  1703. then he

  1704. set him

  1705. on his

  1706. own animal

  1707. and brought

  1708. him to

  1709. an inn

  1710. and took

  1711. care of

  1712. him

  1713. and the

  1714. next day

  1715. he took

  1716. out two

  1717. denarii

  1718. and gave

  1719. them to

  1720. the innkeeper

  1721. saying

  1722. take care

  1723. of him

  1724. and whatever

  1725. more you

  1726. spend

  1727. I will

  1728. repay

  1729. you

  1730. when I

  1731. come back

  1732. compassion

  1733. was what

  1734. was in

  1735. his heart

  1736. compassion

  1737. when you

  1738. look it

  1739. up

  1740. is a

  1741. feeling

  1742. of deep

  1743. sympathy

  1744. and sorrow

  1745. for another

  1746. who is

  1747. stricken by

  1748. misfortune

  1749. a feeling

  1750. of deep

  1751. sympathy

  1752. and sorrow

  1753. for another

  1754. who is

  1755. stricken

  1756. by misfortune

  1757. accompanied

  1758. by a

  1759. strong

  1760. desire

  1761. to alleviate

  1762. the

  1763. suffering

  1764. I want

  1765. you to

  1766. imagine

  1767. being the

  1768. man who

  1769. was robbed

  1770. for a

  1771. moment

  1772. on the

  1773. way

  1774. you had

  1775. your plan

  1776. for your

  1777. day

  1778. all was

  1779. going

  1780. well

  1781. and then

  1782. these robbers

  1783. have

  1784. approached

  1785. they strip

  1786. you of

  1787. everything

  1788. you have

  1789. on you

  1790. beating

  1791. you to

  1792. leave you

  1793. in a

  1794. position

  1795. where you

  1796. likely

  1797. cannot

  1798. move

  1799. you can

  1800. imagine

  1801. yourself

  1802. being in

  1803. the ditch

  1804. on the

  1805. side

  1806. of the

  1807. road

  1808. naked

  1809. embarrassed

  1810. unable

  1811. to do

  1812. anything

  1813. for

  1814. yourself

  1815. and you

  1816. see this

  1817. religious

  1818. man

  1819. priest

  1820. approach

  1821. a man

  1822. you know

  1823. and you

  1824. think

  1825. well

  1826. great

  1827. he'll

  1828. help

  1829. me

  1830. but looks

  1831. at you

  1832. understands

  1833. your need

  1834. and walks

  1835. on by

  1836. the

  1837. Levite

  1838. just

  1839. the

  1840. same

  1841. and maybe

  1842. you think

  1843. well this

  1844. man's not

  1845. so high

  1846. up as

  1847. a priest

  1848. surely

  1849. he'll

  1850. help me

  1851. but he

  1852. does

  1853. not

  1854. he pretends

  1855. not to

  1856. see you

  1857. lying

  1858. there

  1859. in the

  1860. ditch

  1861. but then

  1862. comes

  1863. this

  1864. man

  1865. who

  1866. you've

  1867. despised

  1868. someone

  1869. who

  1870. you've

  1871. hated

  1872. someone

  1873. who

  1874. you've

  1875. rejected

  1876. all your

  1877. life

  1878. you've

  1879. never

  1880. had

  1881. time

  1882. for

  1883. this

  1884. man

  1885. and you

  1886. think

  1887. to yourself

  1888. maybe

  1889. well

  1890. maybe you

  1891. can imagine

  1892. someone

  1893. like this

  1894. well he

  1895. certainly

  1896. will not

  1897. help me

  1898. this man

  1899. that I've

  1900. rejected

  1901. and maybe

  1902. even the

  1903. pride of

  1904. your heart

  1905. would say

  1906. I don't

  1907. want help

  1908. from this

  1909. man

  1910. I prefer

  1911. him just

  1912. to leave

  1913. me

  1914. and we

  1915. can have

  1916. an idea

  1917. of how

  1918. this

  1919. man

  1920. felt

  1921. but it's

  1922. a parable

  1923. after all

  1924. it's a

  1925. picture

  1926. to help

  1927. us

  1928. it's not

  1929. a parable

  1930. about

  1931. contempt

  1932. for one

  1933. another

  1934. because we

  1935. can note

  1936. that the

  1937. Samaritan

  1938. has no

  1939. contempt

  1940. towards the

  1941. man that

  1942. lay there

  1943. the Samaritan

  1944. does not

  1945. take the

  1946. opportunity

  1947. to kill

  1948. the man

  1949. because

  1950. that would

  1951. have been

  1952. his opportunity

  1953. if he

  1954. had

  1955. contempt

  1956. against

  1957. the man

  1958. who

  1959. rejected

  1960. him

  1961. a man

  1962. who

  1963. had

  1964. no

  1965. time

  1966. for

  1967. him

  1968. he

  1969. doesn't

  1970. it's a

  1971. parable

  1972. about

  1973. compassion

  1974. the

  1975. Samaritan

  1976. was one

  1977. that he

  1978. knew

  1979. himself

  1980. would have

  1981. been

  1982. rejected

  1983. and still

  1984. had

  1985. compassion

  1986. greater

  1987. than any

  1988. law

  1989. set aside

  1990. the thoughts

  1991. of the

  1992. day

  1993. and let

  1994. his

  1995. compassion

  1996. rule

  1997. in his

  1998. heart

  1999. because

  2000. compassion

  2001. was his

  2002. great

  2003. motivation

  2004. to do

  2005. that's

  2006. why he

  2007. did

  2008. anything

  2009. because

  2010. he

  2011. had

  2012. compassion

  2013. and what

  2014. did he

  2015. do with

  2016. that

  2017. compassion

  2018. where it

  2019. says that

  2020. he burned

  2021. up his

  2022. wounds

  2023. addressed

  2024. the pain

  2025. of his

  2026. beatings

  2027. poured

  2028. on him

  2029. oil

  2030. and wine

  2031. and uplifted

  2032. him onto

  2033. his own

  2034. animal

  2035. took him

  2036. to an

  2037. inn

  2038. and it

  2039. would seem

  2040. like he

  2041. spent the

  2042. whole night

  2043. with him

  2044. taking care

  2045. of him

  2046. and even

  2047. on his

  2048. departure

  2049. his

  2050. compassion

  2051. provided

  2052. for the

  2053. costs

  2054. till he

  2055. would come

  2056. back

  2057. now

  2058. had the

  2059. person

  2060. that

  2061. you

  2062. had

  2063. despised

  2064. done all

  2065. these

  2066. things

  2067. for you

  2068. how would

  2069. you feel

  2070. it would

  2071. probably be

  2072. shame in

  2073. our hearts

  2074. yet

  2075. thankful

  2076. for all

  2077. that he

  2078. had done

  2079. eternally

  2080. grateful

  2081. because really

  2082. you were

  2083. half dead

  2084. you would

  2085. have died

  2086. if this

  2087. man had

  2088. not saved

  2089. you

  2090. and it

  2091. is truly

  2092. a lesson

  2093. where evil

  2094. is overcome

  2095. with good

  2096. and you

  2097. know in

  2098. yourself

  2099. there is

  2100. nothing

  2101. more valuable

  2102. in your

  2103. life

  2104. than to

  2105. have it

  2106. spared

  2107. so Jesus

  2108. asked to

  2109. the man

  2110. which of

  2111. the three

  2112. proved to

  2113. be a

  2114. neighbour

  2115. and it's

  2116. simple

  2117. the one

  2118. who showed

  2119. him

  2120. mercy

  2121. undeserved

  2122. kindness

  2123. went beyond

  2124. the thoughts

  2125. of the day

  2126. and loved

  2127. his enemy

  2128. Jesus

  2129. comes back

  2130. in answer

  2131. to his

  2132. question

  2133. what must

  2134. I do

  2135. to inherit

  2136. eternal

  2137. life

  2138. go and

  2139. do

  2140. likewise

  2141. to care

  2142. to love

  2143. to give

  2144. to supply

  2145. in every

  2146. way

  2147. warmly

  2148. willingly

  2149. unreservedly

  2150. to

  2151. your neighbour

  2152. who is

  2153. even

  2154. your enemy

  2155. this is a

  2156. challenge to

  2157. us as we

  2158. said at the

  2159. beginning

  2160. because

  2161. we don't

  2162. and I

  2163. believe we

  2164. can't

  2165. just go

  2166. about

  2167. deciding

  2168. that we're

  2169. going to be

  2170. compassionate

  2171. today

  2172. it's one of

  2173. these emotions

  2174. that comes

  2175. from deep

  2176. within our

  2177. hearts

  2178. and in a

  2179. sense

  2180. compassion

  2181. has like

  2182. an unlimited

  2183. strength

  2184. to it

  2185. compassion

  2186. moves us

  2187. to do

  2188. things

  2189. that maybe

  2190. we didn't

  2191. think we'd

  2192. ever do

  2193. compassion

  2194. compels

  2195. you to

  2196. do

  2197. but where

  2198. does

  2199. compassion

  2200. spring

  2201. from

  2202. where does

  2203. compassion

  2204. come to

  2205. move us

  2206. to do

  2207. because if

  2208. we don't

  2209. have compassion

  2210. in our hearts

  2211. we walk

  2212. by

  2213. most parables

  2214. have a

  2215. single point

  2216. this one

  2217. to love

  2218. our neighbour

  2219. but this one

  2220. seems to have

  2221. a deeper

  2222. level

  2223. and you can

  2224. get carried

  2225. away

  2226. spiritualising

  2227. it

  2228. every element

  2229. that was

  2230. done

  2231. to this

  2232. man

  2233. by the

  2234. Samaritan

  2235. figure

  2236. and his

  2237. heart

  2238. of compassion

  2239. because it

  2240. is so

  2241. like

  2242. Jesus

  2243. himself

  2244. see the

  2245. story

  2246. tells us

  2247. what

  2248. compassion

  2249. does

  2250. it does

  2251. not say

  2252. that the

  2253. Samaritan

  2254. saw him

  2255. and loved

  2256. him as

  2257. he would

  2258. himself

  2259. and leave

  2260. it at

  2261. that

  2262. as loving

  2263. his neighbour

  2264. as he would

  2265. himself

  2266. it doesn't

  2267. say that

  2268. it tells

  2269. us

  2270. what compassion

  2271. does

  2272. Jesus

  2273. describes

  2274. what compassion

  2275. drives

  2276. someone to

  2277. do

  2278. where is

  2279. the root

  2280. of compassion

  2281. for us

  2282. tonight

  2283. the Lord

  2284. is the

  2285. Lord of

  2286. compassion

  2287. Isaiah 55

  2288. if you want

  2289. reading for

  2290. your evening

  2291. the Lord

  2292. is the

  2293. source

  2294. of all

  2295. compassion

  2296. and he

  2297. is one

  2298. that has

  2299. lifted many

  2300. from the

  2301. depths of

  2302. this life

  2303. and yet

  2304. there are

  2305. many to

  2306. be lifted

  2307. by his

  2308. compassion

  2309. maybe we

  2310. are people

  2311. who were

  2312. on our

  2313. way

  2314. and something

  2315. has happened

  2316. to us

  2317. and robbed

  2318. us

  2319. because we

  2320. know ourselves

  2321. there is much

  2322. in our lives

  2323. that make us

  2324. sore

  2325. there is much

  2326. in our lives

  2327. that leaves

  2328. us wounded

  2329. drained

  2330. injured

  2331. feeling like

  2332. we can't

  2333. move

  2334. and feeling

  2335. as if we're

  2336. half dead

  2337. and there

  2338. are many

  2339. people who

  2340. have looked

  2341. to other

  2342. men for

  2343. help

  2344. for their

  2345. rescue

  2346. and well

  2347. they've done

  2348. little for

  2349. them

  2350. I wonder

  2351. do you

  2352. know

  2353. the

  2354. compassion

  2355. of Jesus

  2356. Christ

  2357. tonight

  2358. there are

  2359. many people

  2360. who have

  2361. felt

  2362. Jesus

  2363. speaking to

  2364. them

  2365. and maybe

  2366. they have

  2367. thought with

  2368. contempt in

  2369. their heart

  2370. of maybe

  2371. what we

  2372. naturally

  2373. do

  2374. and we

  2375. say to

  2376. Jesus

  2377. as he

  2378. stands

  2379. before us

  2380. I don't

  2381. want

  2382. your help

  2383. I don't

  2384. want

  2385. Jesus

  2386. Christ

  2387. to help

  2388. me

  2389. sometimes

  2390. we feel

  2391. because of

  2392. who we

  2393. are

  2394. he can't

  2395. love

  2396. me

  2397. sometimes

  2398. we feel

  2399. because of

  2400. what we

  2401. have been

  2402. in our

  2403. younger

  2404. years

  2405. that Jesus

  2406. Christ

  2407. will not

  2408. care

  2409. for me

  2410. why would

  2411. Jesus Christ

  2412. save me

  2413. now

  2414. after all

  2415. that I

  2416. have done

  2417. and after

  2418. all that I

  2419. have been

  2420. there are

  2421. many who

  2422. have said

  2423. that

  2424. but I

  2425. felt

  2426. the

  2427. irresistible

  2428. compassion

  2429. of Christ

  2430. to lead

  2431. them in

  2432. their lives

  2433. and to

  2434. let Christ

  2435. embrace

  2436. them

  2437. and show

  2438. his love

  2439. to them

  2440. that they

  2441. become people

  2442. who love

  2443. him with

  2444. all their

  2445. hearts

  2446. regardless

  2447. of what

  2448. you think

  2449. of Jesus

  2450. tonight

  2451. or what

  2452. you think

  2453. of yourself

  2454. when we

  2455. gather

  2456. under

  2457. God's

  2458. word

  2459. he will

  2460. stand

  2461. out of

  2462. it

  2463. and stands

  2464. before you

  2465. tonight

  2466. like the

  2467. Samaritan

  2468. not in

  2469. anger

  2470. for all

  2471. that you

  2472. have

  2473. been

  2474. or all

  2475. that you

  2476. think

  2477. you

  2478. have

  2479. been

  2480. he

  2481. stands

  2482. like the

  2483. Samaritan

  2484. with overwhelming

  2485. compassion

  2486. for you

  2487. and it

  2488. is a

  2489. compassion

  2490. that silences

  2491. every voice

  2492. in your

  2493. mind

  2494. of the

  2495. doubts

  2496. and the

  2497. whys

  2498. of why

  2499. Jesus

  2500. would love

  2501. me

  2502. and it's

  2503. as if you

  2504. would see

  2505. the compassion

  2506. in his

  2507. eyes

  2508. that says

  2509. let me

  2510. do this

  2511. for you

  2512. and truly

  2513. see

  2514. well

  2515. he is

  2516. one that

  2517. truly

  2518. sees

  2519. he

  2520. perceives

  2521. like the

  2522. Samaritan

  2523. perceived

  2524. really

  2525. the

  2526. pains

  2527. of your

  2528. life

  2529. like no

  2530. other

  2531. and

  2532. understands

  2533. them

  2534. like no

  2535. other

  2536. man

  2537. so that

  2538. he is

  2539. one

  2540. that says

  2541. to you

  2542. I know

  2543. that it

  2544. hurts

  2545. and he

  2546. says

  2547. did you

  2548. let me

  2549. bind up

  2550. the wounds

  2551. of your

  2552. life

  2553. and he

  2554. says

  2555. that I

  2556. have an

  2557. ointment

  2558. and a

  2559. balm

  2560. to take

  2561. away

  2562. every

  2563. sting

  2564. in your

  2565. experience

  2566. that ointment

  2567. could be

  2568. his blood

  2569. that takes

  2570. away

  2571. the sting

  2572. even of

  2573. death

  2574. and he

  2575. is one

  2576. that lifts

  2577. you and

  2578. puts you

  2579. in a

  2580. place

  2581. that was

  2582. his

  2583. a privileged

  2584. place

  2585. on his

  2586. animal

  2587. as it

  2588. were

  2589. and leads

  2590. you to

  2591. a place

  2592. of refuge

  2593. where all

  2594. the costs

  2595. are made

  2596. but he

  2597. is one

  2598. that does

  2599. not

  2600. abandon

  2601. his

  2602. compassion

  2603. drives

  2604. him back

  2605. to you

  2606. compassion

  2607. a deep

  2608. sympathy

  2609. of sorrow

  2610. for another

  2611. who is

  2612. stricken

  2613. by misfortune

  2614. accompanied

  2615. by a

  2616. strong

  2617. desire

  2618. to

  2619. alleviate

  2620. the

  2621. suffering

  2622. and is

  2623. Calvary

  2624. not

  2625. imprinted

  2626. with

  2627. compassion

  2628. is Calvary

  2629. not a

  2630. witness

  2631. to us

  2632. of

  2633. Christ's

  2634. compassion

  2635. for you

  2636. with emotion

  2637. compassion

  2638. of compassion

  2639. for his

  2640. people

  2641. as that

  2642. deep

  2643. sympathy

  2644. and sorrow

  2645. for them

  2646. because he

  2647. sees the

  2648. misfortune

  2649. that we

  2650. are in

  2651. a sin

  2652. and he

  2653. clearly

  2654. perceives

  2655. that

  2656. in a

  2657. way

  2658. that we

  2659. don't

  2660. see it

  2661. ourselves

  2662. even

  2663. and he

  2664. sees the

  2665. people as

  2666. dead

  2667. in their

  2668. sins

  2669. like the

  2670. one that

  2671. was dead

  2672. on the road

  2673. Samaritan

  2674. comes

  2675. Christ

  2676. comes

  2677. he understands

  2678. your need

  2679. but it's

  2680. accompanied

  2681. with a

  2682. strong

  2683. desire

  2684. to alleviate

  2685. the

  2686. suffering

  2687. Calvary

  2688. caused

  2689. Jesus

  2690. and that

  2691. was the

  2692. doing

  2693. of his

  2694. compassion

  2695. towards

  2696. you

  2697. that's

  2698. what

  2699. his

  2700. compassion

  2701. drove him

  2702. to do

  2703. that he

  2704. would

  2705. alleviate

  2706. the

  2707. suffering

  2708. of you

  2709. by taking

  2710. away the

  2711. sins

  2712. of your

  2713. life

  2714. maybe it's

  2715. time

  2716. to stop

  2717. pushing

  2718. away the

  2719. compassion

  2720. of Christ

  2721. and let

  2722. him save

  2723. you

  2724. regardless

  2725. of what we

  2726. think of

  2727. ourselves

  2728. may Christ's

  2729. compassion

  2730. tonight

  2731. be overwhelming

  2732. to us

  2733. for it is

  2734. in that

  2735. that we

  2736. find the

  2737. answer to

  2738. the lawyer's

  2739. question

  2740. what must

  2741. I do

  2742. to inherit

  2743. eternal

  2744. life

  2745. let Christ

  2746. save you

  2747. let Christ

  2748. take you

  2749. go with

  2750. Christ

  2751. let him

  2752. have all

  2753. of you

  2754. he asks

  2755. for all

  2756. your heart

  2757. soul

  2758. and mind

  2759. it is

  2760. only then

  2761. when we

  2762. know the

  2763. compassion

  2764. of Christ

  2765. in our

  2766. heart

  2767. that we

  2768. have any

  2769. hope

  2770. to do

  2771. likewise

  2772. it is

  2773. only after

  2774. we know

  2775. Christ

  2776. in our

  2777. experience

  2778. that can

  2779. we

  2780. do

  2781. to one

  2782. another

  2783. that what

  2784. we can

  2785. do

  2786. and show

  2787. compassion

  2788. because

  2789. Christ

  2790. will dwell

  2791. within

  2792. your

  2793. heart

  2794. and I

  2795. pray that

  2796. he would

  2797. be one

  2798. that would

  2799. all be

  2800. overflowing

  2801. in it

  2802. with

  2803. compassion

  2804. even

  2805. to love

  2806. our

  2807. name

  2808. pray these

  2809. thoughts

  2810. would be

  2811. blessed

  2812. to us

  2813. tonight

  2814. we'll

  2815. conclude by

  2816. singing in

  2817. psalm 130

  2818. psalm 130

  2819. of the

  2820. Scottish

  2821. Psalter

  2822. find out

  2823. on page

  2824. 421

  2825. of the

  2826. blue

  2827. books

  2828. psalm 130

  2829. lord from

  2830. the depths

  2831. to thee

  2832. I cried

  2833. my voice

  2834. lord do

  2835. thy

  2836. hear

  2837. my

  2838. supplication

  2839. unto

  2840. my

  2841. supplication's

  2842. voice

  2843. give an

  2844. attend

  2845. to you

  2846. lord who

  2847. shall stand

  2848. if thou

  2849. o lord

  2850. should mark

  2851. iniquity

  2852. but yet

  2853. with thee

  2854. forgivenesses

  2855. that feared

  2856. thou mayest

  2857. be

  2858. we'll stand

  2859. together and

  2860. sing the

  2861. whole of

  2862. psalm 130

  2863. to god's

  2864. praise

  2865. lord from

  2866. the depths

  2867. to thee

  2868. I cried

  2869. lord from

  2870. the depths

  2871. to thee

  2872. I cried

  2873. my

  2874. voice

  2875. lord do

  2876. thou

  2877. hear

  2878. unto

  2879. my

  2880. supplication

  2881. their

  2882. Should spark in liberty

  2883. But yet with thee

  2884. Forgivenesses

  2885. That fear the meest king

  2886. I wait for God

  2887. My soul doth wait

  2888. My hope is in his word

  2889. For thine may that

  2890. Our morning watch

  2891. My soul waits for the Lord

  2892. I say for thou live up to watch

  2893. The boring night to see

  2894. Let Israel open the door

  2895. For with him better cease thee

  2896. Unplentious redemption

  2897. Is ever found within

  2898. And from all his iniquities

  2899. He is well shall redeem

  2900. Conclude in prayer

  2901. Lord we thank you for this time together

  2902. And we pray that we would know the compassion

  2903. That Jesus Christ had for us

  2904. In the state of our lostness and sin

  2905. And Lord we pray that compassion

  2906. Be known in our hearts

  2907. The one that loved us

  2908. So that we may love

  2909. A compassion that enables us

  2910. Only truly to do likewise

  2911. You are the redeemer of our souls

  2912. And has shown us

  2913. That's the redemption

  2914. And love that you have for us

  2915. In the compassion of the cross

  2916. May that thought be set before us

  2917. As we go into the week ahead

  2918. Be with us through the watches of the night

  2919. And continue with us we pray

  2920. All this we ask again

  2921. In the name of the one who has the power

  2922. Who is your son

  2923. The Lord Jesus Christ

  2924. Amen

  2925. Amen