Being Radical
Easter
The Road to Victory
A Pre-Easter Home Study
Object:
Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he said, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" He said to him, "What is written in the law? What do you read there?" He answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." And he said to him, "You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live." But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied, "A man who was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down the 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 while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, 'Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.' Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?" He said, "The one who showed him mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."
Lesson Aim: That each person might see that Jesus is willing to do what it takes to reach people and so should his followers.
Prayer Focus: Pray that each of those in your group might know the touch of Jesus Christ in their lives.
Lesson
A husband asked his wife, "Tell me, dear, have you ever been in love before?" She thought for a moment and replied, "No, darling. Once I respected a man for his great intelligence. I admired another for his remarkable courage. I was captivated by another for his good looks and charm. But with you, well, how else could you explain it, but love?"
How else could you explain it, but love? I think that describes God's relationship with us, too. Jesus in his life on earth demonstrated some astounding things in the context of love. Today we consider a look at the "radical" nature of our Savior and what impact that has on our own walk with him. Jesus, in this text, offers a glimpse at an "outside the box" life. It is a life that makes a difference. It is a walk that matters. Isn't that what you really want?
Background Of The Text
The text for today comes from Luke's gospel, the tenth chapter. Earlier in this chapter we find the record of Jesus sending out the 72 to teach and preach. They return with great joy and report that even demons submit to them in Jesus' name. Jesus reminds them that the miraculous is not as important as the eternal kingdom of heaven.
The Inquiry
Jesus then returns to teaching. As he is instructing the people, an expert in the law stands to test him. "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" It is the "million dollar" question. Jesus asks him in return, "What does it say in the Law?" He replies, "Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, strength, and mind; and love your neighbor as yourself." Jesus tells him that he has answered well. The man, though, understanding that there is something more asks, "Who then is my neighbor?" Jesus responds with a parable.
The Parable
A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho. This trip was nearly a seventeen-mile walk through rocky and desert country. As he was on the way, he was waylaid, robbed, and beaten. The perpetrator left him half-dead on the road. As he lay there, a priest came by. He saw the man; took a look; but passed. After all, touching him would make him unclean. A second man ambled down that road. He was a Levite, that is, an assistant in the temple. He saw the bloodied man on the road, too. He even went over to get a closer look, but decided it wasn't his place to do anything. A third man came down the road on his donkey. This man happened to be a Samaritan, someone with whom a "self-respecting" Jew would have no contact. He saw the man and had pity on him. He bandaged his wounds and then poured on oil and wine. He put the man on his donkey and took him to an inn; a lodging place for people. He told the innkeeper to look after him and paid him to do so. If he needed any more care, the Samaritan promised to pay it when he comes back.
Jesus concluded the parable by asking the expert in the law a question, "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law was humbled. We can almost see him gulp as he answered. "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus then concluded the lesson, "Go and do likewise." What an amazing parable! It had an unbelievable ending, if you were a Jew, that is. The Samaritan was the hero. That couldn't be, could it? Jesus has told a radical story to illustrate a radical point.
What Does It Mean?
Radical Christians Think Outside The Box
There are three observations that I think we need to see from this parable. First, "outside the box" Christian faith is demonstrated. In this parable we find three main characters. Three passed by on the road. Two of them were supposed to be men of faith. The priest was a leader in the community. The Levite was a man of good standing. As the story unfolds, the hearers must've thought, "Surely one of those guys will do the right thing." According to Jesus, though, they didn't. They were unwilling to do anything to help. They saw the problem. The Levite even went as far as surveying the situation, but when it came right down to it, they did nothing. The one who demonstrated radical Christian faith was the one least likely to do so. The Samaritan traveler. To understand the galling nature of this, realize the hatred that existed between Jews and Samaritans. There was a racial and ethnic prejudice that matched anything of the modern era. As Jesus told this story, his Jewish hearers must've winced as the Samaritan came down the road. Then, notice the actions of the Samaritan. He saw the man. He had pity on him. He bandaged his wounds. He poured on oil and wine. He put the man on his donkey and took him to get care. What made him the hero was not what he believed, but what he did about what he believed.
The same is true today. If you want the "cutting edge," "radical" Christian faith that has substance and meaning, it is seen in what you do. What is "outside the box" Christian faith? Is it going out and living in a cave and memorizing scripture? Well, that's outside the box and maybe even appealing on some level, but I don't think that's what Jesus is referring to here. Is it leaving a job and this country and going to the mission field? Well, again, that's a radical decision and sometimes God is looking for that, but I don't think that's what Jesus had in mind here. Radical Christian faith is seen in the woman who goes every day to the nursing home to visit and care for a friend. Radical Christian faith is seen in the young man who stops weekly to visit the elderly couple and make sure that the grass is mowed. Radical Christian faith is seen in the woman who takes the elderly man to the doctor regularly for check-ups. "Wait a minute," you say. "This doesn't sound so radical. These things are the regular, mundane things that people do. What's so radical about that?" That's it. You've got it. Radical Christian faith is becoming the hands and feet of Jesus -- doing for others -- meeting needs and loving. Jesus said, "If you've done it for the least of these my brothers, you've done it for me."
Radical Christians Take Risks
The second observation is that Radical Christian faith is willing to take a risk. The Samaritan was willing to get involved with a messy situation involving a Jew. The priest and Levite saw the situation, but to become involved was too much trouble. The Samaritan was willing to risk it.
Are you willing to take a risk to live the Radical Christian life? Will you risk your reputation among peers to maintain a Christian lifestyle? Will you be radical enough to say, "No, I don't choose to be a part of the crowd -- I will do things the way I think God wants me to do them"? Will you be "cutting edge" enough to resist the temptations of the flesh and submit to the Lord? Will you be radical enough to risk your own comfort for the cause of the kingdom? Taking a risk. It isn't easy. Risk-takers sometimes fall. It can be awfully lonely and scary taking a risk for the kingdom. People will question you. They won't understand. They may even criticize. Yes, taking a risk is difficult, but not taking a risk can be devastating. Not taking a risk leads to a life devoid of passion and purpose. Not taking a risk leads to complacency, boredom, and stagnation. The Samaritan took a risk to get involved with the wounded Jew, but the greater risk would've been to walk by.
Radical Christianity Is Costly
The third observation is that Radical Christian faith costs something. For the Samaritan, this was true. It cost him financially as he paid for the man's care at the inn. He promised to meet any additional expense on his next trip. It cost him time as he stopped to care for this man. It cost him energy as he bound his wounds and led him to the inn.
If you are going to live a Radical Christian life, it will cost you something, too. Jesus said, "If any man would come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me." To live on the edge of faith comes with a price. What is that price, you ask? Jesus wants you to give up your heart, your will, your mind; basically he wants all of you. That's the cost. He wants it all. Now, we've heard this before, right? We even have a hymn that most everyone knows, "I Surrender All." This isn't a new concept. You're right. It isn't new. It just isn't practiced very often.
Giving all means that your whole life, every part, is under the lordship of Jesus Christ. This means your money. This means your family. This means your entertainment. This means your job. This means your possessions. This means your personal thoughts and habits. This means everything! There is nothing in your life that doesn't involve Jesus. You know, I think we've gotten very good at compartmentalizing. We have set up little areas in our hearts, our lives if you will. They are neatly divided and walled off. We get very good at giving Jesus access to most of those rooms. However, for most of us, there is one room that we hang out the "Do Not Disturb" sign. For some, it is the rec room. For some, it is the bedroom. For some it is the study. For others, it is the money room. Whatever it is, we keep that door locked. We say, "Jesus, you can't go in there. That room is mine." Doing that prevents us from living the Radical Christian life that is available to us. Will you, today, throw open the door to the secret room? Will you let Jesus have it all?
Conclusion
The Radical Christian life is what we all want, isn't it? We want it to be real. We want it to be significant. We want it to make a difference. On the "road to victory" Jesus demonstrated the rewards for a radical faith. Will you live that kind of faith?
Thought Questions
1. In the parable, why do you suppose the priest and Levite passed the injured man? What does this tell us about them?
2. What do you think prompted the Samaritan to stop? Is this surprising?
3. How would you define the "Radical Christian faith?" Is that something most aspire to live? Why or why not?
4. The author of this lesson asserts that Jesus lived and taught a radical faith. Do you agree with that assertion? Why or why not?
Suggested Songs And Hymns
"I Surrender All"
"More About Jesus"
"Surrender"
Lesson Aim: That each person might see that Jesus is willing to do what it takes to reach people and so should his followers.
Prayer Focus: Pray that each of those in your group might know the touch of Jesus Christ in their lives.
Lesson
A husband asked his wife, "Tell me, dear, have you ever been in love before?" She thought for a moment and replied, "No, darling. Once I respected a man for his great intelligence. I admired another for his remarkable courage. I was captivated by another for his good looks and charm. But with you, well, how else could you explain it, but love?"
How else could you explain it, but love? I think that describes God's relationship with us, too. Jesus in his life on earth demonstrated some astounding things in the context of love. Today we consider a look at the "radical" nature of our Savior and what impact that has on our own walk with him. Jesus, in this text, offers a glimpse at an "outside the box" life. It is a life that makes a difference. It is a walk that matters. Isn't that what you really want?
Background Of The Text
The text for today comes from Luke's gospel, the tenth chapter. Earlier in this chapter we find the record of Jesus sending out the 72 to teach and preach. They return with great joy and report that even demons submit to them in Jesus' name. Jesus reminds them that the miraculous is not as important as the eternal kingdom of heaven.
The Inquiry
Jesus then returns to teaching. As he is instructing the people, an expert in the law stands to test him. "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" It is the "million dollar" question. Jesus asks him in return, "What does it say in the Law?" He replies, "Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, strength, and mind; and love your neighbor as yourself." Jesus tells him that he has answered well. The man, though, understanding that there is something more asks, "Who then is my neighbor?" Jesus responds with a parable.
The Parable
A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho. This trip was nearly a seventeen-mile walk through rocky and desert country. As he was on the way, he was waylaid, robbed, and beaten. The perpetrator left him half-dead on the road. As he lay there, a priest came by. He saw the man; took a look; but passed. After all, touching him would make him unclean. A second man ambled down that road. He was a Levite, that is, an assistant in the temple. He saw the bloodied man on the road, too. He even went over to get a closer look, but decided it wasn't his place to do anything. A third man came down the road on his donkey. This man happened to be a Samaritan, someone with whom a "self-respecting" Jew would have no contact. He saw the man and had pity on him. He bandaged his wounds and then poured on oil and wine. He put the man on his donkey and took him to an inn; a lodging place for people. He told the innkeeper to look after him and paid him to do so. If he needed any more care, the Samaritan promised to pay it when he comes back.
Jesus concluded the parable by asking the expert in the law a question, "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law was humbled. We can almost see him gulp as he answered. "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus then concluded the lesson, "Go and do likewise." What an amazing parable! It had an unbelievable ending, if you were a Jew, that is. The Samaritan was the hero. That couldn't be, could it? Jesus has told a radical story to illustrate a radical point.
What Does It Mean?
Radical Christians Think Outside The Box
There are three observations that I think we need to see from this parable. First, "outside the box" Christian faith is demonstrated. In this parable we find three main characters. Three passed by on the road. Two of them were supposed to be men of faith. The priest was a leader in the community. The Levite was a man of good standing. As the story unfolds, the hearers must've thought, "Surely one of those guys will do the right thing." According to Jesus, though, they didn't. They were unwilling to do anything to help. They saw the problem. The Levite even went as far as surveying the situation, but when it came right down to it, they did nothing. The one who demonstrated radical Christian faith was the one least likely to do so. The Samaritan traveler. To understand the galling nature of this, realize the hatred that existed between Jews and Samaritans. There was a racial and ethnic prejudice that matched anything of the modern era. As Jesus told this story, his Jewish hearers must've winced as the Samaritan came down the road. Then, notice the actions of the Samaritan. He saw the man. He had pity on him. He bandaged his wounds. He poured on oil and wine. He put the man on his donkey and took him to get care. What made him the hero was not what he believed, but what he did about what he believed.
The same is true today. If you want the "cutting edge," "radical" Christian faith that has substance and meaning, it is seen in what you do. What is "outside the box" Christian faith? Is it going out and living in a cave and memorizing scripture? Well, that's outside the box and maybe even appealing on some level, but I don't think that's what Jesus is referring to here. Is it leaving a job and this country and going to the mission field? Well, again, that's a radical decision and sometimes God is looking for that, but I don't think that's what Jesus had in mind here. Radical Christian faith is seen in the woman who goes every day to the nursing home to visit and care for a friend. Radical Christian faith is seen in the young man who stops weekly to visit the elderly couple and make sure that the grass is mowed. Radical Christian faith is seen in the woman who takes the elderly man to the doctor regularly for check-ups. "Wait a minute," you say. "This doesn't sound so radical. These things are the regular, mundane things that people do. What's so radical about that?" That's it. You've got it. Radical Christian faith is becoming the hands and feet of Jesus -- doing for others -- meeting needs and loving. Jesus said, "If you've done it for the least of these my brothers, you've done it for me."
Radical Christians Take Risks
The second observation is that Radical Christian faith is willing to take a risk. The Samaritan was willing to get involved with a messy situation involving a Jew. The priest and Levite saw the situation, but to become involved was too much trouble. The Samaritan was willing to risk it.
Are you willing to take a risk to live the Radical Christian life? Will you risk your reputation among peers to maintain a Christian lifestyle? Will you be radical enough to say, "No, I don't choose to be a part of the crowd -- I will do things the way I think God wants me to do them"? Will you be "cutting edge" enough to resist the temptations of the flesh and submit to the Lord? Will you be radical enough to risk your own comfort for the cause of the kingdom? Taking a risk. It isn't easy. Risk-takers sometimes fall. It can be awfully lonely and scary taking a risk for the kingdom. People will question you. They won't understand. They may even criticize. Yes, taking a risk is difficult, but not taking a risk can be devastating. Not taking a risk leads to a life devoid of passion and purpose. Not taking a risk leads to complacency, boredom, and stagnation. The Samaritan took a risk to get involved with the wounded Jew, but the greater risk would've been to walk by.
Radical Christianity Is Costly
The third observation is that Radical Christian faith costs something. For the Samaritan, this was true. It cost him financially as he paid for the man's care at the inn. He promised to meet any additional expense on his next trip. It cost him time as he stopped to care for this man. It cost him energy as he bound his wounds and led him to the inn.
If you are going to live a Radical Christian life, it will cost you something, too. Jesus said, "If any man would come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me." To live on the edge of faith comes with a price. What is that price, you ask? Jesus wants you to give up your heart, your will, your mind; basically he wants all of you. That's the cost. He wants it all. Now, we've heard this before, right? We even have a hymn that most everyone knows, "I Surrender All." This isn't a new concept. You're right. It isn't new. It just isn't practiced very often.
Giving all means that your whole life, every part, is under the lordship of Jesus Christ. This means your money. This means your family. This means your entertainment. This means your job. This means your possessions. This means your personal thoughts and habits. This means everything! There is nothing in your life that doesn't involve Jesus. You know, I think we've gotten very good at compartmentalizing. We have set up little areas in our hearts, our lives if you will. They are neatly divided and walled off. We get very good at giving Jesus access to most of those rooms. However, for most of us, there is one room that we hang out the "Do Not Disturb" sign. For some, it is the rec room. For some, it is the bedroom. For some it is the study. For others, it is the money room. Whatever it is, we keep that door locked. We say, "Jesus, you can't go in there. That room is mine." Doing that prevents us from living the Radical Christian life that is available to us. Will you, today, throw open the door to the secret room? Will you let Jesus have it all?
Conclusion
The Radical Christian life is what we all want, isn't it? We want it to be real. We want it to be significant. We want it to make a difference. On the "road to victory" Jesus demonstrated the rewards for a radical faith. Will you live that kind of faith?
Thought Questions
1. In the parable, why do you suppose the priest and Levite passed the injured man? What does this tell us about them?
2. What do you think prompted the Samaritan to stop? Is this surprising?
3. How would you define the "Radical Christian faith?" Is that something most aspire to live? Why or why not?
4. The author of this lesson asserts that Jesus lived and taught a radical faith. Do you agree with that assertion? Why or why not?
Suggested Songs And Hymns
"I Surrender All"
"More About Jesus"
"Surrender"
