More Than a Story
“Be That Guy”
Luke 10:25-37

Jesus was a master storyteller, and the stories He told were anything but ordinary. He shared surprising and thought-provoking parables with His followers – more than just stories, they reveal deep truths about God, ourselves, and how we’re called to live.  

What’s the difference between a story and a parable?

Story
Typically, to entertain or to inform
Character development is central
Rooted in culture 

Parable
To illustrate a spiritual truth
The lesson is central  
Rooted in culture

That’s why the parables of Jesus are “more than a story.”

Luke 10:25-37

When we experience transformation, it must lead to incarnation. 
When your heart is changed, it must lead to action.

The Question
Asked by a teacher and interpreter of the Mosaic Law
A question that was intended to trip Jesus in His claim to be God 
Jesus appeals to this man’s pride – “Do you know?”

The Answer 
Shema – meaning “hear” from Deuteronomy 6:4-5
Jews – It is a sacred duty to recite this morning and evening 
Jesus stated that is was the greatest command in the law given to Moses.
Followed by the second-greatest commandment that sums up the rest of the laws – Matthew 22:37-40

Jesus says …
Knowing the truth isn’t enough; it must be lived out.

We learn about obedience through obedience.

Loophole
“… who is my neighbor?”

Parable – “The Good Samaritan”
The road was real
• 17-mile commute, downhill, dropping 4,000 feet
• Steep, mountainous road with narrow, rocky defiles and blind turns
• Well-known for robbery 
• Jerome, 5th century – “the Bloody Way”

Every moment and every situation challenges us to act.

Priest and Levite 
• Priest is a member of the Levite tribe
• They ignored the man because:
• Jewish teachers taught that “neighbor” meant fellow Israelite – Leviticus 19:18
• It was ceremonially “unclean” for them to touch a corpse – Leviticus 21:1-3
• They would have to undergo 7 days of cleansing – Numbers 19:2-13; Ezekiel 44:24-27

All the head knowledge did not work its way into their hearts and lives.

Samaritan man 
• The most unlikely to help

The person with the least spiritual knowledge was the most compassionate.

“Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” –Jesus, Luke 10:36

Growing as a disciple of Jesus happens by acting on what we know spiritually.

“You go, and do likewise.” –Jesus, Luke 10:37
Be that guy! –Jesus

“That guy” acted in godly love
Saw the man – Overcoming differences
Had compassion – Not weighed down by inconvenience 
Created margin – Willing to use his time and resources 

Have our hearts been transformed or informed?
	
Where is God speaking to you about taking action?