THE PARABLE OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN

In it God introduced His church and its duties, and timeframe to work for the salvation of bruised humanity.

• Luke 10:30. And Jesus answering said, A certain [man] went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded [him], and departed, leaving [him] half dead. 31. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked [on him], and passed by on the other side. 33. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion [on him], 34. And went to [him], and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave [them] to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

Jesus sets forth some very interesting symbolism in this parable. We all know the story well, how a certain man was robbed and beaten and left for dead, and a Levite and a Priest passed by without helping him, but a Samaritan came along and helped the man, took him to an inn and gave two pence for his stay at the inn, saying, "when I come again"(john 14; 3) I will repay (Isaiah 59:18) any more. The symbolism is clear. The man robbed, beaten, and left for dead represents us sinners, beaten and left for dead by Satan and sin.

Symbols in the parable:

1. Good Samaritan represents Jesus

2. Thieves along the way represents Satan

3. Bruised and robbed person represents Sinners

4. A priest and a Levite represent old Sacrificial System

5. Host of the Inn represents God’s servant

6. The Inn represents God’s church

7. Two pence represent workers’ wage

“In the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus gave a picture of Himself and His mission. Man had been deceived, bruised, robbed, and ruined by Satan, and left to perish; but the Saviour had compassion on our helpless condition. He left His glory, to come to our rescue. He found us ready to die, and He undertook our case. He healed our wounds. He covered us with His robe of righteousness. He opened to us a refuge of safety, and made complete provision for us at His own charges. He died to redeem us. Pointing to His own example, He says to His followers, "These things I command you, that ye love one another." "As I have loved you, that ye also love one another." John 15:17; 13:34.” {DA 503.6}

NOTE: In the Good Samaritan parable we noticed that the bruised person was saved from half-dead and then was taken into an Inn that the host of the Inn were to look after him until he receives complete restoration and healing. In this parable Jesus shows us the purpose of establishing His church. He is the Good Samaritan that saves our life that was bruised by Satan and sin, and then gave the responsibility to the host or the church to perform this role of saving others who are bruised from sins with the gospel of salvation.

“The work of the Good Samaritan represents Christ's mission to the world…. When we were bruised and dying, he had pity upon us. He did not pass us by on the other side, and leave us, helpless, and hopeless, to perish. He did not remain in his holy, happy home, where he was honored by all the heavenly host, who loved to do his bidding. He beheld our sore need; he undertook our case, and identified his interests with humanity.” {Home Missionary, October 1, 1897 par. 7}

·        The Good Samaritan represents Jesus Christ, the only one who can help us.

·        The Priest and Levite who passed by without helping, represents the TYPE, SACRIFICIAL SYSTEM IN THE ANCIENT SANCTUARY, which cannot save us from sin.

·        The Inn, which the Samaritan takes the man into it, represents God's kingdom and church on earth, where Jesus gathers His people to take care of each other.

·        The Hosts represent God’s servant.

·        But what about the 'two pence' the Good Samaritan gave the host? Why two pence? Remember who the Samaritan represents? Jesus. So, what does the two pence represent?

·        The Samaritan (Jesus) is saying ... "these two pence should be enough until I return." Now look at another parable Jesus gave:

Matthew 20:1-2 ...'For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.'

·        Who does the vineyard belong to? God.

·        And the vineyard is the earth.

·        We human, God’s people are the vine.

·        Who are the labourers in that vineyard? God's servant or church on earth. Good Samaritan parable introduces church and Mathew 20:1-2 introduce workers.

·        And how much was to be the pay for the work? A penny for ONE DAY. Matt 20:1

·        Now remember that in the Good Samaritan story, the Samaritan (Jesus) gave the host (workers in His church) two pence UNTIL HE WAS TO RETURN. Jesus pays the workers two 2 pence for two days work that means Jesus allows the workers to work for only two 2 days. No more than that. After 2 days he will come back to pay more. Jesus allows His church to work for 2 days only for the salvation of humanity.

·        So, if one penny was for one day, then two pence would be enough for two days work only.

·        Now, if you put both parables together, Jesus is giving the church two pence for 'two days' UNTIL HE RETURNS. Now look at what Peter said:

Ø 2 Peter 3:8 ...'But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.'

·        One day is as a thousand years with God. So, what would TWO days (two pence) be? Two thousand years! Do you see this? Was Jesus saying through this parable that He would return in around 2000 years’ time? Jesus gave 2000-year timeframe for His servant in His church to finish the work of saving bruised humanity.

“In the midst of the week He shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease.” In A.D. 31, three and a half years after His baptism, our Lord was crucified. With the great sacrifice offered upon Calvary, ended that system of offerings which for four thousand years had pointed forward to the Lamb of God. Type had met antitype, and all the sacrifices and oblations of the ceremonial system were there to cease.” {GC 327.3}

God will "finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness." (Romans 9:28)

Dear friends’ and family in Christ! I pray that this would open your eyes and wake us up to where we are in history. I pray that this would cause you to make a fuller surrender of your life to Jesus. And please do not think that merely sitting in your church will keep you safe, as Satan has captured the majority of churches in this world now, and they have become part of fallen Babylon. Our only safety is in the arms of Christ - WE ARE COMPLETE IN HIM. Jesus is coming back soon! Please make sure you are clothed with THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST. Time is almost up! Let us walk with God each day, and at the end of the day we may present a clean record in the books of heaven and be sure that God accepted us each day.

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Christian Greetings!

Moses Yauma

www.sdalaymen.org