Let us begin our worship by singing together in God's praise in Psalm 67 of the Sing Psalms.
You'll find that on page 84 of the Blue Book.
Psalm 67, Sing Psalms, page 84.
God be merciful and bless us.
Shine upon us with your face, that the earth may know your actions and all lands your saving grace.
O God, may the peoples praise you.
May all peoples sing your praise, for you judge the nations justly, ruling over every race.
May they sing with joy and gladness.
May they all rejoice as one.
O God, may the peoples praise you, as they all unite in song.
Then the land will yield its harvest.
God will pour his gifts abroad.
God our God will surely bless us.
All the earth will fear our God.
We'll stand and we'll sing these verses together.
God be merciful and bless us.
Shine upon us with your face,
That the earth may know your actions, and all lands your saving grace.
O God, may the peoples praise you.
May all peoples sing your praise.
May they all rejoice as one.
O God, may the peoples praise you.
May they all unite in song.
Then the land will yield its harvest.
God will pour its gifts abroad.
God our God.
God our God will surely bless us.
All the earth will fear our God.
May we turn our minds and our hearts towards God in prayer.
May we pray together.
God our Father in heaven.
Our Father in heaven, we thank you again for this day that you have given to us and this opportunity
to gather again under your word and in the power of your name,
Redeemering to the усл Мы of the Spirit and By the электros of our LORD who pray for us to God in peace.
"...
And we pray that we would know it in our lives that is worth trusting in.
And we pray that we would know it in our lives as a power that is worth trusting in.
And a hope that goes beyond anything that this world can offer.
Lord, we pray that as we gather here as your people tonight,
that we would know the power of your spirit that was left with your people.
That it would still be active amongst us tonight.
And through the reading of your word, speak to us.
Speak to our minds.
Speak to our hearts.
Speak to the deepest concerns that we have.
Speak to our worries.
Speak to our needs.
For you know us greater and in a greater sense than we know ourselves.
You know what is best for us as a father.
God who loves us knows what is best for his children.
And so to whom else can we go?
For if we go around chasing the schemes and methods of man,
we have found out to our own foolishness that they are empty.
And they leave us empty.
And they leave us wondering what is there to this life.
As many of us have asked that question.
We pray in you we find an answer.
In the Lord Jesus Christ.
And what he has done for us.
We thank you that in recent days,
there have been men and women in leadership over us
who have read the gospel to the nations.
Whether willingly or not,
your word has been read.
And we pray that this reading would take root in the hearts of men and women
who are in need.
We thank you for the life of our Queen.
And how she gave you the honour.
And how she gave service to you,
Lord, as her King.
We pray for our new worldly King.
That he would be one that would come to trust fully in you.
And confess the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour likewise.
Lord, we pray for each of us in our situations.
Whether it be in school, whether it be in study.
We remember the students who have left home for the first time.
We ask you would be with them.
And we remember the ones who need to uphold their faith in you.
And are challenged by their faith.
We pray that you give them strength to do so.
And encourage them in every difficult step that they take.
That they would not be ashamed to say that I am a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Contrary to what this world thinks of Christ.
But let that be true of everyone that is gathered here tonight also.
That we would not be ashamed of the one who has redeemed us.
As we look at ourselves, we see.
And we pray that we see.
Sin in us.
That we must confess.
And the sin that is within us.
Leaves us guilty before God.
And in no way can we enter his presence because of our sin.
And so we need someone.
To wash away our sins.
Someone to pay the price of sin.
And so Jesus Christ has been that man to us.
We thank you for all that he has done.
And as we come to look on your word.
Illuminate our minds.
Open our eyes.
Unblock our ears.
To the sacrifice that was paid at Calvary.
And the love that Jesus Christ had.
In going to our place.
Where he allowed men to spit upon him.
People to mock him and ridicule him.
People to hammer nails through his hands.
And leave him to die.
In such a terrible way.
But we thank you that that was not the end of the story.
And you are one that has been risen.
You are exalted.
Beyond all men.
You are the son of God.
As you showed yourself to be.
So we pray we know you.
In a way that is personal to us.
In a way that we can trust in you.
No matter what is said before us in our lives.
Whether we are in the depths of despair.
Or whether we are walking with ease.
Lord we pray.
You answer us in our need.
And meet us.
At our need too.
We pray for Mr. McKeever.
As he takes rest.
And holiday.
We pray that you may revive him.
And restore him.
And we pray for.
Callum Murdoch Smith.
That he would set Lynn and the family.
To this congregation.
And we pray.
That the preaching of the word.
Would take effect.
In our town.
For there are many that need it.
We pray.
That you give us understanding.
On how to do these things.
And how to share the gospel.
In a way that is gentle.
And loving.
And not in ways that.
Make people.
Turn away.
From the hope that is within us.
Lord give us compassion.
For people.
And a love.
For the souls that are lost.
Be with us.
Now we pray.
May your spirit.
Be with us.
As we look at your word.
We ask these things.
In the name.
And power.
Of the Lord.
Jesus Christ.
Amen.
If we could continue.
In our.
Praise of God.
By singing to him.
In Psalm.
143.
Of the Scottish Psalter.
You'll find that.
On page.
439.
Of the Blue Book.
Psalm.
143.
Second version.
Page.
439.
Of the Blue Book.
From the beginning.
Oh hear my prayer.
Lord.
And unto my.
Desire.
To bow.
Thine ear.
Accord.
I humbly.
Thee require.
And in thy faithfulness.
Unto me.
Answer.
Make.
And in thy righteousness.
Upon me.
Pity.
Take.
We'll sing down.
To the end.
Of verse.
Mark 5.
Yet I do call to mind.
What ancient days record.
Thy works.
Of every kind.
I think.
Upon.
Oh Lord.
And we'll stand.
And sing.
These verses.
To God's praise.
O hear my prayer.
O hear Lord.
And unto my desire.
To bow thy dear accord.
I humbly.
Thee require.
And in thy faithfulness.
Unto me.
Answer me.
And in thy righteousness.
Upon me pity take.
In church and tender not.
With me thy servant poor.
For why this well I ought.
No sinner can endure.
The sight of thee O God.
If thou hast deed shalt try.
He dare make none uphold.
Himself to justify.
Behold the cruel foe.
Me persecute this fight.
My soul to overthrow.
O yea.
Yea.
Ye be my life.
Thine quite.
And to the ground thine smote.
And made thee dwell full low.
In darkness as for God.
Our men can long ago.
Therefore my state much vexed.
For wellness be within.
My heart my sore perplexed.
And death's all it hath been.
Yet I do call to mind.
What ancient history court.
Thy works of every kind.
I think upon the Lord.
If we can turn now to the Gospel of Luke.
Luke.
The Gospel of Luke chapter 10.
And we'll read from verse 21.
The Gospel of Luke chapter 10.
Verse 21.
We'll look at the parable of the Good Samaritan.
Let us hear God's word.
In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said.
I thank you Father Lord of heaven and earth.
That you have not.
That you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding.
And revealed them to little children.
Yes Father.
For such was your gracious will.
All things have been handed over to me by my Father.
And no one knows who the Son is.
Except the Father.
Or who the Father is.
Except the Son.
And anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
Then turning to the disciples.
He said privately.
Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.
For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see.
And did not see it.
And to hear what you hear.
And did not hear it.
And behold a lawyer stood up to him.
To put him to the test.
Saying.
Teacher.
What shall I do to inherit eternal life?
He said to him.
What is written in the law?
How do you read it?
And he answered.
You shall love the Lord your God.
With all your heart.
With all your soul.
With all your strength.
And with all your mind.
And your neighbour as yourself.
And he said.
To whom.
You have answered correctly.
Do this.
And you will live.
But he desiring to justify himself.
Said to Jesus.
And who is my neighbour?
Jesus replied.
A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho.
And he fell among robbers.
Who stripped him.
And bet him.
And departed.
Leaving him half dead.
Now by chance.
A priest was going down that road.
And when he saw him.
He passed by on the other side.
So likewise.
A Levite.
When he came to the place.
And saw him.
Passed by on the other side.
But a Samaritan.
As he journeyed.
Came to where he was.
And when he saw him.
He had compassion.
When he went to him.
And bound up his wounds.
Pouring on oil.
And wine.
Then he set him on his own animal.
And brought him to an inn.
And took care of him.
And the next day.
He took out two denarii.
And gave them to the innkeeper.
Saying.
Take care of him.
And whatever more you spend.
I will repay you.
When I come back.
Which of these three.
Do you think proved.
To be a neighbor.
To the man.
Who fell among the robbers.
He said.
The one.
Who showed him mercy.
And Jesus said to him.
You go.
And do.
Likewise.
Amen.
May the reading of God's word.
Be blessed.
To us.
We'll continue in our praise.
By singing.
And sing.
Psalms.
92.
A.
You'll find that on page.
One.
Two.
Of the blue book.
Psalm.
92.
A.
One.
Two.
And we'll sing.
From verse.
March.
Five.
How great.
Are all your works.
Oh Lord.
Your thoughts.
How deep.
And grand.
The senseless one.
Does not perceive.
The fools.
Do not understand.
Although the wicked.
Spring like grass.
The foolish.
Do not see.
That all who flourish.
In their sin.
Will die.
Eternally.
But Lord.
You are forever more.
Exalted.
Very high.
All evil doers.
Will be crushed.
Your foes.
Will surely die.
You made me.
Strong.
As any ox.
With oil.
Anointed me.
I've seen.
My enemies.
Defeat.
And I.
Have heard them.
Flee.
Like palms.
And cedars.
Flourishing.
The righteous.
All will be.
And planted.
In the house.
Of God.
Will grow.
Abundantly.
We'll stand together.
And sing.
Together.
To God's praise.
How great are all your works.
O Lord.
How great are all your works.
O Lord.
Your thoughts are deep and grand.
The senseless one.
Does not perceive.
The senseless one.
Does not perceive.
Whose do not understand.
Although the wicked spring like grass.
The foolish do not see.
That all who flourished in their sin.
The foolish do not see.
That all who flourished in their sin.
Will die eternally.
The wicked.
The wicked spring like grass.
The foolish do not see.
That all who flourished in their sin.
Will die eternally.
The foolish.
Will die eternally.
But Lord, you are forevermore, exalted, very high.
All evil doers will be crushed, your foes will surely die.
You made me strong as any ox, with oil anointed me.
I've seen my enemies defeat, and I have heard them flee.
Like hands and seaters vanishing, the righteous all will be.
And planted in the house of God, will grow abundantly.
I can turn together back to the Gospel of Luke, chapter 10.
And we'll look tonight at the parable of the Good Samaritan.
And for their text, we'll consider what the lawyer asked of Jesus.
Saying in verse 25,
Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
What shall I do to inherit eternal life?
I wonder, did any of us do anything last week
that would have justified someone saying of us that,
well, you're a good Samaritan.
Did we do anything for anyone that was not expected of us?
And there are many of us here who know this story,
this parable.
And even if we don't know the story,
we are quite familiar with people saying of someone that does a good deed,
that they are a good Samaritan.
Or, what you did, you are like a good Samaritan.
In what you have done for someone,
or in doing something for the good of someone else.
And maybe this account, we have known it from our youth,
and can be guilty of saying that it is one of these stories that we know.
And we've become so familiar with it that we can skiff over it when we read it.
We know what happens in the parable.
We know the outcome.
We know it's a lesson to love our neighbour.
And it echoes where, elsewhere, it is taught in the Gospel of Matthew.
So whatever you wish that others would do to you,
do also to them.
And this idea and teaching, it's beneficial for everyone,
I'm sure we'll all agree.
It's undeniably good, but undeniably, if we're honest with ourselves,
we struggle to do the things that we would think a good Samaritan would do.
And very rarely, we are the good Samaritan.
We tend to look after ourselves more than we care for the needs of others.
And there are many people in this world who would totally disregard this idea.
Of looking out for others.
And only to look after their own wants and their own needs.
And for those who want or desire to be as the good Samaritan,
it is a continual learning for us.
For us to love our neighbour as ourselves.
And I think it would do us good, every morning if we were to pray,
that we would know how to love our neighbour as ourselves.
And I'm sure that in every day we would find a new way to do that,
or to fulfil that in some way.
And as we look at the account and the parable that we have before us,
we can see that there are two distinct characteristics that come out clear to us.
There's two hearts, in a sense, of two different people.
We have a heart of contempt,
and we have afterwards a heart of compassion that comes.
So we'll use that as points.
The heart of contempt and the heart of compassion.
So beginning with the heart of contempt,
this heart will be applicable to the lawyer that we meet at the beginning of the passage.
It's also applicable to the priest and the Levite.
But really it all comes back to the lawyer.
Because this story was told in relation to him.
And to feel contempt, well contempt means to feel despised towards something,
or someone,
or to dishonour them in some way.
Even to feel them as worthless.
That's what contempt means.
To despise someone,
dishonour them,
to feel them as worthless.
And that is something that we can see comes through in the parable that Jesus teaches.
And something that we can firstly pick out
in the lawyer himself who comes.
But as before we do that,
it's always good when you look at these passages
just to go back a wee bit
to see if there's anything that we can pick up
that helps us to understand the passage.
And if you look at verse 21,
it says,
this is prior to the account,
it says that,
in that same hour,
he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit,
I thank you Father,
Lord of heaven and earth,
that you have hidden these things
from the wise and understanding
and revealed them to little children.
Yes, Father,
such was your gracious will.
Particularly hidden these things
from the wise and understanding
because then,
just a few verses later,
in comes this lawyer,
in verse 25.
And he would have been a Jewish lawyer.
So we can understand
that the Jewish people
used the Bible,
Old Testament,
as their law.
This Jewish lawyer
would have been in charge
of their religious laws
as well as their civil laws
because they would have lived
according to the laws of the Bible.
So if there was ever a person
that would be wise and understanding,
well,
here he is,
standing before Jesus.
He knew the law of God
on his fingertips.
And it would seem that,
well,
maybe he would agree
that he was wise
and understanding
because it says
that he came to put Jesus
to the test.
And straight away,
even in that,
there is contempt
towards Jesus.
There is dishonor
towards Jesus
because he's saying,
straight away,
my wisdom
and understanding
is greater than yours.
I can put you to the test
and I'm pretty sure
I'll catch you out.
But the truth of Jesus' words
soon becomes clear.
And it is fulfilled
in front of the people's eyes
that the wise and understanding
don't get it
in a sense.
So we need to be careful ourselves.
When we think
we've grasped the Bible
or there are puts in the Bible
that we understand
because,
well,
in my experience,
and I'm sure others
can say likewise,
that you can be surprised
by what you learn
in passages
that are so familiar
to you.
Not that I'm saying
that you learn
anything new tonight.
Maybe we will.
What does Jesus
ask of the lawyer?
No,
what does the lawyer
ask Jesus?
What was his first question
there in verse 25,
our text?
Teacher,
what shall I do
to inherit
eternal life?
This wise and understanding
man comes
and he asks,
well,
really the question
of all questions.
What must I do
to inherit
eternal life?
A million dollar
question.
If there was one
that we could answer
tonight,
I'm sure we would love
to know the answer
to it.
there's something
in our desire
to have eternal life
that we kind of want
to have eternal life.
There's something that,
no matter how bad life is,
there's something that wants
a continuality,
a continuous
of what we have
to continue.
And it says
in Ecclesiastes
that God
has put eternity
into man's heart.
It's a desire
for something more
or something
to continue.
But you'll see
in the question
that he asks
that there is
actually a small
error in it.
He asks,
what shall I do
to inherit
eternal life?
Because there is
nothing that we
can do
to inherit
eternal life.
There's nothing
we can do
to gain a space
or a spot
in heaven
in our doing
as he came
to ask him.
And it seems
to me
like if you were there
listening to this
conversation,
it would be quite
an interesting
and maybe entertaining
place to sit
or to stand.
This wise
and understanding
man's come along
and he's asked
the million dollar
question to Jesus,
what shall I do
to inherit
eternal life?
And they'd be
thinking,
well,
this man's
pretty high up
there to attain
eternal life
because of the
man that he is.
And you're just
wondering to see,
well,
what's he going
to say
and which way
is this going
to go?
And Jesus
just seems
to play along
with this question,
teacher,
what shall I do?
He doesn't
make a thing
of that.
He just plays
along with him.
And he asks
of the lawyer
pretty much
saying to him
in verse 26,
you're the lawyer,
you're the wise
and understanding.
What is written
in the law
and how do
you understand
it?
How do you
read it?
And the reply
that he gives
comes straight
from the
word of God.
Deuteronomy
6,
verse 5,
you shall love
the Lord your God
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your strength,
with all your mind.
And then he goes
to Leviticus,
your neighbor
as yourself.
You may have
references in your
Bible to these
verses.
Where they come
from.
But if you were
to go to
Deuteronomy
and look this
passage up,
there's some
error
in not what
he's quoted,
but in a sense
where he stops.
Because if you
would continue
in reading
what it says
in Deuteronomy
6,
verse 5,
it would continue
and say that
all these words
that I command
you to do
shall be
on your heart.
they shall
be on your
heart.
And it's as if
this lawyer
is coming
with all these
things in his
head.
They haven't
made an imprint
into his
heart
because he's
looking for ways
to attain
his salvation
by what he
can do.
And the second
reference in
Leviticus,
where his
father question
comes,
he says,
to love
your neighbor
as
yourself.
To love
your neighbor
as yourself.
And when you
go to
Leviticus,
you need to
go back to
these passages
just to get a
clearer understanding.
When you go
to Leviticus,
it says,
and references
the sons of
your own
people,
when it
speaks about
your neighbor.
So,
if he's a
Jewish lawyer
and he's
thinking that
he needs to
love his
neighbor,
and it
references
beside that
in Leviticus,
the sons of
your own
people,
he's probably,
he needs
clarity on it,
but he's
probably thinking
either that
this is
his family,
his own
people,
it could be
the tribe,
this right
tribe of
his own
people,
or maybe
even the
whole people
of the
Jewish
nation.
So,
he comes
along
with this
other
question
of
who
is
his
neighbor,
desiring
to
justify
himself,
and that
justify
himself
means
to clear
himself,
to prove
himself
just
in all
that he
did,
and in all
that he
loved,
trying to
work himself
that space
and what
he can
do
to attain
that
place
in heaven.
He has
a query
over
where the
line comes
in of
his neighbor,
who do
I need
to love,
and where
does my
love,
where can
I stop?
Hence,
the
Samaritan.
Because
this is
the last
person
he would
have had
on his
list of
neighborly
possibilities,
on people
that he
would have
wanted to
love,
because the
Jews and
Samaritans
had a
kind of
deep
hatred
between
each
other.
He
couldn't
imagine
loving
this
Samaritan,
or even
being loved
by this
Samaritan.
But we
leave the
Samaritan
just now.
We're not
quite ready
to go
and meet
him.
We've
seen
the
lawyer.
Let us
look at
the
parable.
The story
is told
when we
read from
verse 30.
Jesus
said,
Jesus replied,
a man was
going down
from Jerusalem
to Jericho
and he
fell among
the robbers
who stripped
him and
bit him
and departed,
leaving him
half dead.
Now by chance
a priest was
going down
that road
and when he
saw him
he passed
on the
other side.
So likewise
a Levite,
when he came
to the place
and saw
him,
passed by
on the
other side.
We have
a man
who had
a plan
for his
day.
He was
going
from
Jerusalem
to
Jericho
and
he was
likely
a Jew
and why
he went
we are
not told
but he
was robbed
and left
for dead.
Now
there's a
possibility
here that
this man
well what
I read
was that
the
it's
quite
likely
that
the
priests
and
the
Levites
would
stay
in
Jericho
and
then
they
would
come
into
Jerusalem
to
work
and
one
of
the
people
I read
I can't
remember
who it
was
but said
that
it's
possible
that
this
person
who was
going
to
Jericho
could
have
been
a
religious
priest
Levite
someone
of that
order
but he
was robbed
and he
was left
for dead
and along
came a
priest
who you
read
passed by
on the
other
side
as if
pretending
not to
see him
and so
comes the
Levite
does exactly
the same
thing
not wanting
anything to
do with
him in a
sense
turning a
blind eye
to his
desperate
need
that was
evident
they have
contempt
in their
hearts
they see
this man
as
worthless
even if
it was
someone of
his own
people
and I
believe
Jesus
is maybe
speaking
to this
lawyer
in a
way like
that
was this
priest
Levi
someone
that he
would
associate
himself
with
more
closely
than
others
but a
point in
passing
also
is that
when it
says that
the
Levite
and the
priest
saw him
there's
more to
it than
just
see and
carry on
in a
way
it's a
different
word
than
what is
used
in verse
23
when it
speaks
about
blessed
are the
eyes
that
see
what
you
see
the
word
that's
used
about
the
priest
and the
Levite
when they
saw him
it's
more than
seeing
it's
actually
perceiving
and
understanding
so they
saw
and understood
the plight
of this
man
but they
continued
on their
way
which makes
it worse
in a
sense
that they
just saw
it
and carried
on
and there
are suggestions
why the
men reacted
like this
that if
maybe they
came into
contact
with this
man
and he
died
there would
be certain
Jewish laws
that they
would have
to go
through
and purify
themselves
and you
can imagine
if they're
in a sense
you can't
well
I don't know
if this is
right but
you can kind of
imagine
they've been
in Jerusalem
and now
they're off
duty
they're going
home
to Jericho
and they
see this
man
in desperate
need at the
side of
the road
and it
can be
almost
that
well
this has
nothing to
do with
me now
this is
going to
be a
great
inconvenience
for the
plans that
I have
while I'm
off
or the
plans that
I have
for this
even if
this man
if I
administer
care to
this man
and he
dies
so all
these selfish
things
the love
of themselves
they would
have to
purify
there would
be an
inconvenience
for them
to help
this man
and if he
were to
die
to purify
themselves
this may
well be
the reason
we don't
know
we can't
actually say
but they
are both
men that
have been
set aside
for the
works of
God
the priest
and the
Levite
ones that
the Jews
would have
looked up
to
and as
we said
one that
this lawyer
probably
found
association
with
easier
than if it
was anyone
else
that Jesus
had said
Jesus
seems to
make the
case of
maybe
what
you're
not
doing
you know
you're
wanting to
draw the
line on
what you
can do
and it's
not about
what you
can get
off with
not doing
there's no
lines to
loving your
neighbour
there's no
limit
to loving
your neighbour
and maybe
today
it speaks
to
the
Christians
that are
gathered
here
under
myself
whoever
we are
we can
often fall
into
traps
of selfish
desires
selfish
ambitions
of what
we want
to do
and we
don't want
to get
involved
in things
that we
can say
that's got
nothing to
do with
me
stuff that
will consume
my time
stuff that
will be an
inconvenience
to me
things that
are going
on in
our nation
that we
don't want
to get
involved
with
because
they're
going to
take up
so much
time
and it
could be
such an
inconvenience
but there
is something
maybe worth
mentioning in
passing as
well which
I feel
is well
it's not
the point
of Christ's
teaching
here but
it's just
beneficial for
us to
note within
ourselves and
even myself
that we
can walk
by things
or people
in our
experience and
we feel
that we
cannot
help
though our
heart is
rightly
concerned
for the
person or
their need
we just
feel in
ourselves
an inadequacy
we think
that maybe
we hold
back because
we don't
have a
sufficient
ability to
help so
much that
we actually
restrict or
stop giving
any help or
rightful care
that we
have and
should have
for one
another in
loving our
neighbor we
feel like we're
not inadequate
and then we
actually do
nothing we
don't know
what to say
we end up
saying nothing
we don't
know what to
do and end
up doing
nothing
and I'm sure
it's something
that we can
all relate to
and it's
something that
we need to
learn continually
on how we
must learn
to love
our neighbor
the lawyer
got his
answer to
the question
in this
story
maybe it
was to
shame
the contempt
he had
to love
others
even
I think
Jesus is
maybe making
a point to
him and
saying
you're asking
who do I
need to
love
and it's
almost as if
he's saying
to him
you're like
this Levite
and you
don't even
love your
own people
you don't
even have
a love
for your
own
to his
shame
and we
have two
people in
this passage
that show
contempt
towards
this man
and the
lawyer himself
contempt
and there's
only one
that shows
compassion
so it's
as if
contempt
in this
world
is far
more
common
than the
one that
shows
compassion
so let
us move
to the
man
of
compassion
and this
heart is
applicable
to the
Samaritan
he is
our example
on how
to love
our
neighbor
the story
continues
the parable
continues
from verse
33
but a
Samaritan
as he
journeyed
came to
where he
was
and when
he saw
him
he had
compassion
he went
to him
and bound
up his
wounds
pouring oil
and wine
then he
set him
on his
own animal
and brought
him to
an inn
and took
care of
him
and the
next day
he took
out two
denarii
and gave
them to
the innkeeper
saying
take care
of him
and whatever
more you
spend
I will
repay
you
when I
come back
compassion
was what
was in
his heart
compassion
when you
look it
up
is a
feeling
of deep
sympathy
and sorrow
for another
who is
stricken by
misfortune
a feeling
of deep
sympathy
and sorrow
for another
who is
stricken
by misfortune
accompanied
by a
strong
desire
to alleviate
the
suffering
I want
you to
imagine
being the
man who
was robbed
for a
moment
on the
way
you had
your plan
for your
day
all was
going
well
and then
these robbers
have
approached
they strip
you of
everything
you have
on you
beating
you to
leave you
in a
position
where you
likely
cannot
move
you can
imagine
yourself
being in
the ditch
on the
side
of the
road
naked
embarrassed
unable
to do
anything
for
yourself
and you
see this
religious
man
priest
approach
a man
you know
and you
think
well
great
he'll
help
me
but looks
at you
understands
your need
and walks
on by
the
Levite
just
the
same
and maybe
you think
well this
man's not
so high
up as
a priest
surely
he'll
help me
but he
does
not
he pretends
not to
see you
lying
there
in the
ditch
but then
comes
this
man
who
you've
despised
someone
who
you've
hated
someone
who
you've
rejected
all your
life
you've
never
had
time
for
this
man
and you
think
to yourself
maybe
well
maybe you
can imagine
someone
like this
well he
certainly
will not
help me
this man
that I've
rejected
and maybe
even the
pride of
your heart
would say
I don't
want help
from this
man
I prefer
him just
to leave
me
and we
can have
an idea
of how
this
man
felt
but it's
a parable
after all
it's a
picture
to help
us
it's not
a parable
about
contempt
for one
another
because we
can note
that the
Samaritan
has no
contempt
towards the
man that
lay there
the Samaritan
does not
take the
opportunity
to kill
the man
because
that would
have been
his opportunity
if he
had
contempt
against
the man
who
rejected
him
a man
who
had
no
time
for
him
he
doesn't
it's a
parable
about
compassion
the
Samaritan
was one
that he
knew
himself
would have
been
rejected
and still
had
compassion
greater
than any
law
set aside
the thoughts
of the
day
and let
his
compassion
rule
in his
heart
because
compassion
was his
great
motivation
to do
that's
why he
did
anything
because
he
had
compassion
and what
did he
do with
that
compassion
where it
says that
he burned
up his
wounds
addressed
the pain
of his
beatings
poured
on him
oil
and wine
and uplifted
him onto
his own
animal
took him
to an
inn
and it
would seem
like he
spent the
whole night
with him
taking care
of him
and even
on his
departure
his
compassion
provided
for the
costs
till he
would come
back
now
had the
person
that
you
had
despised
done all
these
things
for you
how would
you feel
it would
probably be
shame in
our hearts
yet
thankful
for all
that he
had done
eternally
grateful
because really
you were
half dead
you would
have died
if this
man had
not saved
you
and it
is truly
a lesson
where evil
is overcome
with good
and you
know in
yourself
there is
nothing
more valuable
in your
life
than to
have it
spared
so Jesus
asked to
the man
which of
the three
proved to
be a
neighbour
and it's
simple
the one
who showed
him
mercy
undeserved
kindness
went beyond
the thoughts
of the day
and loved
his enemy
Jesus
comes back
in answer
to his
question
what must
I do
to inherit
eternal
life
go and
do
likewise
to care
to love
to give
to supply
in every
way
warmly
willingly
unreservedly
to
your neighbour
who is
even
your enemy
this is a
challenge to
us as we
said at the
beginning
because
we don't
and I
believe we
can't
just go
about
deciding
that we're
going to be
compassionate
today
it's one of
these emotions
that comes
from deep
within our
hearts
and in a
sense
compassion
has like
an unlimited
strength
to it
compassion
moves us
to do
things
that maybe
we didn't
think we'd
ever do
compassion
compels
you to
do
but where
does
compassion
spring
from
where does
compassion
come to
move us
to do
because if
we don't
have compassion
in our hearts
we walk
by
most parables
have a
single point
this one
to love
our neighbour
but this one
seems to have
a deeper
level
and you can
get carried
away
spiritualising
it
every element
that was
done
to this
man
by the
Samaritan
figure
and his
heart
of compassion
because it
is so
like
Jesus
himself
see the
story
tells us
what
compassion
does
it does
not say
that the
Samaritan
saw him
and loved
him as
he would
himself
and leave
it at
that
as loving
his neighbour
as he would
himself
it doesn't
say that
it tells
us
what compassion
does
Jesus
describes
what compassion
drives
someone to
do
where is
the root
of compassion
for us
tonight
the Lord
is the
Lord of
compassion
Isaiah 55
if you want
reading for
your evening
the Lord
is the
source
of all
compassion
and he
is one
that has
lifted many
from the
depths of
this life
and yet
there are
many to
be lifted
by his
compassion
maybe we
are people
who were
on our
way
and something
has happened
to us
and robbed
us
because we
know ourselves
there is much
in our lives
that make us
sore
there is much
in our lives
that leaves
us wounded
drained
injured
feeling like
we can't
move
and feeling
as if we're
half dead
and there
are many
people who
have looked
to other
men for
help
for their
rescue
and well
they've done
little for
them
I wonder
do you
know
the
compassion
of Jesus
Christ
tonight
there are
many people
who have
felt
Jesus
speaking to
them
and maybe
they have
thought with
contempt in
their heart
of maybe
what we
naturally
do
and we
say to
Jesus
as he
stands
before us
I don't
want
your help
I don't
want
Jesus
Christ
to help
me
sometimes
we feel
because of
who we
are
he can't
love
me
sometimes
we feel
because of
what we
have been
in our
younger
years
that Jesus
Christ
will not
care
for me
why would
Jesus Christ
save me
now
after all
that I
have done
and after
all that I
have been
there are
many who
have said
that
but I
felt
the
irresistible
compassion
of Christ
to lead
them in
their lives
and to
let Christ
embrace
them
and show
his love
to them
that they
become people
who love
him with
all their
hearts
regardless
of what
you think
of Jesus
tonight
or what
you think
of yourself
when we
gather
under
God's
word
he will
stand
out of
it
and stands
before you
tonight
like the
Samaritan
not in
anger
for all
that you
have
been
or all
that you
think
you
have
been
he
stands
like the
Samaritan
with overwhelming
compassion
for you
and it
is a
compassion
that silences
every voice
in your
mind
of the
doubts
and the
whys
of why
Jesus
would love
me
and it's
as if you
would see
the compassion
in his
eyes
that says
let me
do this
for you
and truly
see
well
he is
one that
truly
sees
he
perceives
like the
Samaritan
perceived
really
the
pains
of your
life
like no
other
and
understands
them
like no
other
man
so that
he is
one
that says
to you
I know
that it
hurts
and he
says
did you
let me
bind up
the wounds
of your
life
and he
says
that I
have an
ointment
and a
balm
to take
away
every
sting
in your
experience
that ointment
could be
his blood
that takes
away
the sting
even of
death
and he
is one
that lifts
you and
puts you
in a
place
that was
his
a privileged
place
on his
animal
as it
were
and leads
you to
a place
of refuge
where all
the costs
are made
but he
is one
that does
not
abandon
his
compassion
drives
him back
to you
compassion
a deep
sympathy
of sorrow
for another
who is
stricken
by misfortune
accompanied
by a
strong
desire
to
alleviate
the
suffering
and is
Calvary
not
imprinted
with
compassion
is Calvary
not a
witness
to us
of
Christ's
compassion
for you
with emotion
compassion
of compassion
for his
people
as that
deep
sympathy
and sorrow
for them
because he
sees the
misfortune
that we
are in
a sin
and he
clearly
perceives
that
in a
way
that we
don't
see it
ourselves
even
and he
sees the
people as
dead
in their
sins
like the
one that
was dead
on the road
Samaritan
comes
Christ
comes
he understands
your need
but it's
accompanied
with a
strong
desire
to alleviate
the
suffering
Calvary
caused
Jesus
and that
was the
doing
of his
compassion
towards
you
that's
what
his
compassion
drove him
to do
that he
would
alleviate
the
suffering
of you
by taking
away the
sins
of your
life
maybe it's
time
to stop
pushing
away the
compassion
of Christ
and let
him save
you
regardless
of what we
think of
ourselves
may Christ's
compassion
tonight
be overwhelming
to us
for it is
in that
that we
find the
answer to
the lawyer's
question
what must
I do
to inherit
eternal
life
let Christ
save you
let Christ
take you
go with
Christ
let him
have all
of you
he asks
for all
your heart
soul
and mind
it is
only then
when we
know the
compassion
of Christ
in our
heart
that we
have any
hope
to do
likewise
it is
only after
we know
Christ
in our
experience
that can
we
do
to one
another
that what
we can
do
and show
compassion
because
Christ
will dwell
within
your
heart
and I
pray that
he would
be one
that would
all be
overflowing
in it
with
compassion
even
to love
our
name
pray these
thoughts
would be
blessed
to us
tonight
we'll
conclude by
singing in
psalm 130
of the
Scottish
Psalter
find out
on page
421
of the
blue
books
psalm 130
lord from
the depths
to thee
I cried
my voice
lord do
thy
hear
my
supplication
unto
my
supplication's
voice
give an
attend
to you
lord who
shall stand
if thou
o lord
should mark
iniquity
but yet
with thee
forgivenesses
that feared
thou mayest
be
we'll stand
together and
sing the
whole of
psalm 130
to god's
praise
lord from
the depths
to thee
I cried
lord from
the depths
to thee
I cried
my
voice
lord do
thou
hear
unto
my
supplication
their
Should spark in liberty
But yet with thee
Forgivenesses
That fear the meest king
I wait for God
My soul doth wait
My hope is in his word
For thine may that
Our morning watch
My soul waits for the Lord
I say for thou live up to watch
The boring night to see
Let Israel open the door
For with him better cease thee
Unplentious redemption
Is ever found within
And from all his iniquities
He is well shall redeem
Conclude in prayer
Lord we thank you for this time together
And we pray that we would know the compassion
That Jesus Christ had for us
In the state of our lostness and sin
And Lord we pray that compassion
Be known in our hearts
The one that loved us
So that we may love
A compassion that enables us
Only truly to do likewise
You are the redeemer of our souls
And has shown us
That's the redemption
And love that you have for us
In the compassion of the cross
May that thought be set before us
As we go into the week ahead
Be with us through the watches of the night
And continue with us we pray
All this we ask again
In the name of the one who has the power
Who is your son
The Lord Jesus Christ
Amen