J C Ryle’s Devotional Thoughts on the Gospel of Luke, section 66, Parable of the Good Samaritan: Luke 10:29-37
The following highlights precede Ryle’s 12 minute devotional video:
- Who is my neighbor?
- Priest and Levite passed by on the other side; the Samaritan stopped and helped (elaborated upon)
- The occasion upon which the parable was spoken is necessary to remember when considering its meaning
- Lesson One: the object of the parable is to show the nature of true charity and brotherly love; how rare it is in this world
- The Priest and Levite passing by is typical of the world – too selfish and unfeeling to offer the slightest assistance; their rationalizations enabled them to continue on without helping
- Unselfish pure brotherly love is as rare as diamonds and rubies
- Lesson Two: To whom we are to show kindness; whom we are to love as neighbors
- The Samaritan might have rationalized and passed on like the other two travelers; but he stopped; had compassion via his actions (expounded upon)
- Christ says, “Go and do likewise”
- Our neighbors are all people that need help, not only among family and friends
- Lesson Three: We are taught to what manner and to what extent we are to show kindness and to love others
- Helping the victim of robbery cost the Samaritan much effort and time and expense (elaborated upon)
- Christian kindness to others should be in word, deed and practical love, entailing self-sacrifice and self-denial – regarding finances, time and effort
- To practice such brotherly love is to walk in the steps of Christ
- Few Christians remember this parable as seen in the enormous amount of stinginess, selfishness and suspicion in the church, even among people who believe the gospel
- How seldom do we see kindness, sensitivity and generosity to others not of one’s own family?
- What are we ourselves doing, at home and abroad, to prove that this parable is one of the rules of our daily life?
- There are always those who need help, near and abroad
- The world would be a happier place if we demonstrated more practical Christian love
The following link is the the devotional page at Christian Sermons and Audiobooks, the source of the above video:
https://www.youtube.com/c/stack45ny/search?query=devotionals
I highly recommend subscribing to this YouTube site; it offers sermons and devotionals from great preachers of the Christian faith.