Victíma

REAL Story In The Stars: Part 4 of 9

John 10:17-18

“Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”

 

(Ancient planisphere.)

The Holy Spirit says in Genesis 1:14,  “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for SIGNS AND SEASONS, and for days and years;"  

They are for signs alright:  HE BLASTED THE AMAZING STORY OF JESUS AND HIS AWESOME WORK OF REDEMPTION ALL ACROSS THE NIGHT SKY!!!

The picture above is called a "planisphere."  It's a pictorial view of the entire story.  Church, the stars and all the constellations have been, are now and ALWAYS WILL BE ALL ABOUT JESUS.  

Don't be afraid to learn about the story just because our enemy invented a perverted version called, "astrology."  I'd like to set the record straight and restore to the Church our Father's wonderful love letter TO US ABOUT HIS BELOVED SON. 

(Constellation Victíma stabbed in the heart by Centaurus. )

The constellation Victíma tells a very important part of this riviting tale.  It shows Jesus as both the OFFERING--the Victim--AND the OFFERER--the Centaur. 

Centaurus, which is part of the story of Victíma, actually belongs to the previous grouping of constellations, Virgo being the major one. It depicts Jesus' dual nature being part man, part horse.  Centaurs are said to have "no form or comeliness that we should desire them," reminiscent of Isaiah 53:2.  

(Centaurus directly above the Southern Cross.)

His spear is aimed right at Victíma's heart.

Directly below the Centaur is the Southern Cross in the picture above. 

Our enemy, the devil, as part of his plan to confuse things, got the Romans to rename Victíma to Lupus, meaning wolf.  That name is a bit more in line with his little agenda, meaning "astrology."  Then he got the Greeks to call it Thera, which means beast.  But the Latin name, Victíma, is drawn from the earliest and most accurate meaning of this star grouping and fits in with God's narrative.  His is the only one that matters anyway. 

If you're not familiar with the gospel in the stars or think it has something to do with astrology, let me set your mind at ease. IT DOESN'T; and, as I said, astrology is a perversion.  

Want to know more about the REAL story, how it begins and why the devil wanted to distort it?  Follow the link below:

http://emmausrevelations.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-real-story-in-stars.html    

(Jesus preached the Gospel to Abraham by recounting the story in the stars.)

Why did God write the Gospel in the stars?  Because at one time, before we had the written word, that's how it was told; by telling the celestial narrative.  That's how Jesus preached the Gospel to Abraham as it says in Galatians 3:8--He recounted the story written in the night sky!

You can read a bit more about the aforementioned perversion of the gospel by following this link:

http://emmausrevelations.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-tower-of-babel.html

The story is kinda like a three-act play.  Act I reveals the story of the promised Messiah, The Champion Who would come and slay the great dragon, satan.  Act 2 continues the story detailing resurrection life received. It talks about Jesus' death and resurrection, goes into the birth of the Church and talks about the enemy that relentlessly tries to shipwreck her.

Act 3 finishes the story discussing the coming Kingdom and Judgment Established when Jesus returns as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah!  

HALLELUJAH! What a day that will be! 

Here's the heart of the matter:  

The devil hates God because of what he was told in the Garden in Genesis 3.  We were made in God's image which is why ol' slimy hates us.  He hates the gospel story because believing it rescues us from his clutches.  

The reason he strikes at us is because he cannot strike at God directly so he does the next best thing:  Strikes at those whom God loves best:  US.  You see, if we still think he has power over us and over the earth, he can affect us and our families.  The REAL GOSPEL unmasks him and his evil plot.  

He also believed if he could prevent the coming of THE ONE, whoever it was, he could stop his own destruction and secure his position.  He's still at it, trying to thwart the second coming.  Yeah, like that's gonna work. That's why he wants destroy Israel thinking that will solve his problem.  Just as he UTTERLY FAILED to stop Jesus' birth, he won't succeed at his current plan.

In the constellation of Victíma we see an animal that has been slain. It is in the act of falling down in death having been slain by the spear belonging to Centaurus, which appears to have pierced it's heart.  

These twelve major Mazzarotte signs (Hebrew for Zodiac) each have three accompanying star clusters or "decans," as they are called. Each decan expands on the story of the Major constellation with which they are aligned.  In all, there are 48 constellations.

Why 12?  For the 12 tribes of Israel.  For example; Libra was the sign ascribed to Levi because they were charged with the balances of the sanctuary.  Leo, no surprise, represented Judah from whom the Lion of the tribe of Judah would come:  JESUS!   

(The twelve major signs.)

This narrative is a circular story so, in order to read it correctly, we must know where it begins.  It starts with the virgin, known by her Latin name, "Virgo," and ends with the Lion of the tribe of Judah, "Leo."

God actually protected this information by arranging to have a monument erected, in Egypt of all places, so we would know where it begins and where it ends.

If you'd like to know more about what He had built, follow the link below:

http://emmausrevelations.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-sign-at-border.html?m=1

In this part we'll call Act 1, God tells us of the Promise of The Coming Messiah and how it would be fulfilled.  Just look at the names of each constellation as He begins to unfold the greatest story ever told!  Even the meanings of the ancient names of individual stars enhance and uphold the tale.

(Constellation Bo-ótes.)

The first major constellation is Virgo, the Virgin.  The other three associated with her story ars "Cōmá," which means The Desired; "Centaurus," The Centaur, depicting Jesus' dual nature; and "Boótës," which means The Coming One.  

Part 2 of Act l is comprised of Libra, the major sign:  The Scales (we were weighed in the scales and found wanting); Crux: The Southern Cross, Victíma:  The Victim--which we've been discussing--and Corona:  The Crown.

(The Southern Cross)

The Southern Cross, which today can only be seen when you are south of equator, in ancient timea was visible as far north as the British Isles!  

Why is it now not in the Northern Hemisphere?  Follow the link below to read that INCREDIBLE story!

 http://emmausrevelations.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-southern-cross.html)

Virgo-the virgin, in her earliest depictions has a male baby in her lap depicting Jesus Who would be born of a virgin.  She holds in her hands ears of corn and stalks of wheat, reminding us of John 12:24--"Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain."

(Virgo.)

Coma-the Desired-is a woman seated with a male child standing on her lap, head slightly higher than hers.  It indicates that though she is the mother, the Child would be higher and therefore greater than her.

Centaurus-the centaur; half man, half horse, is poised directly over the Southern Cross which portrays Jesus' sacrificial death.  He is holding a spear pointed directly at an accompanying decan, "Victima," as I said, which belongs to the next group of constellations aligned with Libra.

Last of all is Boótés-the Coming One, who has a sickle in one hand and a shepherd's staff in the other.  You can see these constellations a bit clearer in the section of the planisphere below.

Together these constellations tell the story of the virgin birth of Jesus, that this "Desired One," (Cōma) would grow to maturity, having two complete natures (Centaurus) both God and man and be the One Who is offering up Himself as a willing sacrifice.  

He was also the Coming One (Bōótês) Who would die for the sins of the whole world, be the revealer of God to the whole world, full of grace and mercy, coming as Shepherd/Harvester--Boótés (bō-ótês), who has in His hand an upraised sickle.  With these implements He both protects the sheep of His flock and harvests many souls for the kingdom of God.

(LIBRA.)

The next major Mazzarotte sign, Libra, is holding the scales in her hand.  Often borrowed to depict justice, she is a picture of us who have "been weighed in the scales and found wanting."  

Being bankrupt, poor, blind and naked, we owe a debt for our sin that we cannot pay.  One side of the scale is that which is lacking to pay our debt; the other speaks of the price which is covered.  In fact, it was OVERPAID!  HALLELUJAH!

The Southern Cross is the next decan followed by Victíma with a spear pointing directly at his heart, the selfless, willing sacrifice. 

What a beautiful and touching picture of our precious Savior Who is both the OFFERER of the sacrifice and the VICTIM.  He is slayer and slain, a willing victim Who died in our place to pay the debt against us who were unable to pay.

And finally, "Corona."  It appears as a crown in the night sky.  As the scripture says in Phillipians 2:9:  "Wherefore God hath highly exulted Him and given Him a Name which is above EVERY NAME, that at the Name of JESUS every knee should bow." 

...and Hebrews 2:9:  

"But we see Jesus, Who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, CROWNED WITH GLORY AND HONOR."

See what I mean?  Just like David wrote in Psalm 19:  The heavens really DO declare your glory, Lord!  Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power and might!!!  

Heartfelt thanks and endless praise to You, Jesus, for being our Victíma!

Knowledge That Passes Knowing?

Ephesians 3:14-19

“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

 

"To know the love of Christ that passes knowledge."  How can you know something that passes knowing?  Can you say "oxymoron?"  Sure sounds like a contradiction of terms.

 

What is the Holy Spirit trying to tell us?  We're going have to go look at the Greek text to find out. 

There are two different words for knowledge used in this passage.  The first, "ginóskó," means "to know, especially through personal experience (first-hand acquaintance)."  This is natural knowledge or moral wisdom that all of us have. 

 

 

The second is "gnósis."  Although the two words are obviously related, the second one means, "application-knowledge," gained in (by) a direct relationship."   

You see, God doesn't want us to simply have knowledge "ABOUT HIS SON."  He doesn't want us to have religious knowledge of Jesus.  He wants us to "KNOW HIS SON," in a personal way.  

The love of Christ encompasses the whole world yet He knows and loves YOU AND ME personally!  His love came "DOWN" to show us the "DEPTH" of His love so He could bring us to the "HEIGHTS" of heaven.  God SO LOVED the world, not just Israel.  That is the "WIDTH" of His love! 

He died for all of us.  You and I, Church, are the object of His love.  GOD IS IN LOVE WITH YOU!
He wants us to be with Him.  

You are not people who have failed God.  You are His beloved!

Let's face it:  We all fall short of the glory of God.  But because of what Jesus did, we stand before Him in the righteousness of His Son with the full rights of sonship. 
You don't have to do something to prove your love for Him so that He will accept you.  That's not the God of the Bible.  NO!  He loved you when you were DEAD in your trespasses and sins.  We need the Holy Spirit to help us understand it.

This is the truth:  You are the one whom Jesus loves!  It may not make any sense; nevertheless, it is the Knowledge that passes knowing.



 

David's Mighty Men

II Samuel 23:13-17
Then three of the thirty chief men went down at harvest time and came to David at the cave of Adullam. And the troop of Philistines encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.

And David said with longing, “Oh, that someone would give me a drink of the water from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!” So the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines, drew water from the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate, and took it and brought it to David. Nevertheless he would not drink it, but poured it out to the Lord . And he said, “Far be it from me, O Lord , that I should do this! Is this  not  the blood of the men who went in jeopardy  of their lives?” Therefore he would not drink it. These things were done by the three mighty men.

 

 

 

This chapter of 2 Samuel lists down the names of all David's Mighty men along with their achievements.  Bear in mind that David, whose name means "Beloved," in this story is a type of Christ.  Jesus, of course, is the Greater David!

First on this list is this guy.  Look what he did!

"Josheb-Basshebeth the Tachmonite, chief among the captains. He was called Adino the Eznite, because he had killed eight hundred men at one time."
II Samuel 23:8

 

Next up is "Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there for battle, and the men of Israel had retreated. He arose and attacked the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand stuck to the sword. The Lord brought about a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to plunder."
II Samuel 23:9-10

 

Then we have "Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines had gathered together into a troop where there was a piece of ground full of lentils. So the people fled from the Philistines. But he stationed himself in the middle of the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. So the Lord brought about a great victory."
II Samuel 23:11-12

 

Read the entire chapter and you'll see others with very great accomplishments.

 

But the ones listed as the mightiest men did nothing except go get water from the wells of Bethlehem for David.  Now, they probably did lots of other things but the Holy Spirit doesn't mention them.  The silence of scripture here speaks volumes! 
What's so great about getting water for David?

 

 

(The Three Mightiest Men.)

 

He was on the run from King Saul time who sought to take his life.  So he and his mighty men had fled to the cave of Adullam, about 15 miles from Bethlehem where David was from.  At this point in time, it was in the hands of the Philistines.  All he did was breathe his desire to drink water from the well by the gate of his hometown.

 

These three men, who are not mentioned specifically by name, took it upon themselves to go down to Bethlehem and break through the ranks of the Philistines and get water for their master.  David was so touched by their service to him that he poured the water out as a drink offering to the Lord rather than drink it.

 

 

 

Surprisingly, among the list of David's mighty men, his general, Joab, is not there.  You see, God isn't interested in a person's position.  He is interested in how much love you have toward His Son.

Joab was actually more interesting in promoting himself and advancing his position than in serving David.  He, you remember, was the one who later killed Absolom, David's wayward son, against David's specific orders that the young man not be harmed. 

 

So when rewards are handed out at the Bema seat of Christ, don't be surprised who gets great rewards.  (For more on the Bema or Judgment seat of Christ, follow this link:
http://emmausrevelations.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-judgment-seat-of-christ.html)

You may be surprised to be counted as one of the Greater David's Mighty Men!             

 

 

 

 

 

 

Psalm 91 Part 1 of 7 of 7: The Secret Place

Psalm 91:1

"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High,
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."

More than ever before in the history of the world, we need God's protection.  The world is rapidly becoming a darker and more dangerous place. There are terror attacks like what just happened in Paris, natural disasters, people violently demonstrating everywhere, random killing of police officers, home invasions, gunmen opening fire on innocent people.  It's like the world has gone crazy.

ALL CHRISTIANS LIVING IN THESE LAST DAYS NEED TO KNOW THIS PSALM BY HEART.  COMMIT IT TO MEMORY, RECITE IT DAILY AND CONFESS GOD'S PROTECTION OVER YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

The secret place is the safest place. That's where we want to.....NO; where we NEED to be. It is here that God protects His people.  

What is this place?  Where is it?  The key to finding and opening the door is hidden in the Hebrew text. 

In this one Psalm alone are five different Names of God in the Hebrew text.  Each has a specific purpose.  Even the order in which they are mentioned is a key, and five is the number of grace!

The first two Names are in the very first verse.  

#1:  Elyon [עֶלְיוֹן]  Most High God.

#2:  Shaddai: [שַׁדָּי] Amighty

The next two are:

#3:  Yahweh: [יהוה] The Hand of Grace, Nailed in Grace

(See the article below for more on The Name:  http://emmausrevelations.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-name-of-god-yahweh.html?m=1)

And:

#4:  Elohim [אלוהים] Creator God 

The 5th and final Name, Y'shua, is the very last word in this Psalm.  That's right:  it literally ends "in Jesus' Name.

#5:  Yeshua [ישוע] Savior, JESUS!

Hebrew is a language of picture writing, like Chinese.  It's worthy of note that in this particular psalm here are more of the Hebrew letter zayin [ז] than in any other psalm.  ZAYIN IS A PICTURE OF A SWORD.  In rabbinical tradition, the rabbis say that this "sword" cuts you off from every evil.  There are 10 in Psalm 91!

The Law of first mention is the principle of interpreting of Scripture which states that "the first mention or occurrence of a subject in Scripture establishes an unchangeable pattern with that subject.  It remains unchanged in the mind of God throughout Scripture."

This law reveals keys to revelations of truths in scripture hidden in the order of words, names and numbers. 

Elyon is the first name of God mentioned in psalm 91.  The first mention of The Name "Elyon," in the Bible is in Genesis 14 where Abraham met Melchizedek:

"And he {Melchizedek} blessed him and said: “Blessed be Abram of GOD MOST HIGH, Possessor of heaven and earth; And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” And he gave him a tithe of all." (Genesis 14:19-20 NKJV)

"El Elyon" owns everything.  He possesses ALL of heaven and earth.  He delivers our enemies into our hands!

Melchizedek, King of Salem, met Abram just after he returned from rescuing his nephew, Lot, and all his household.  They had been taken captive by the Amorites.  This King Priest offered Abram "bread and wine," after which Abram gave him a "tithe of all he possessed."  

Bread and wine:  That's communion!  Right after partaking, Abram gave Melchizedek ten percent of all that he owned, so clearly the tithe predates the Law by more than 400 years.  This tithe is the one that brings blessing, not given out of duty to the law but out of a heart full of the revelation of Who Jesus is.  What prompted Abram to give this King Priest a tithe of all was the revelation he had of who Jesus is!

"Shaddai" is first mentioned in Genesis 17.  

"When Abram was NINETY-NINE years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am ALMIGHTY GOD; walk before Me and be blameless. And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly.” (Genesis 17:1-2 NKJV)
(For more information on why God changed Abram and Sarai to Abraham and Sarah, follow this link:  http://emmausrevelations.blogspot.com/2014/06/our-god-is-full-of-grace.html)

At this point in Abram's life he was WELL PAST his natural ability to father children.  But not too far gone for God.  NO!  He renewed both Abraham and Sarah's youth.  They not only had Isaac but, after she died, he fathered six more children through Ketura.  WOW!  At that point in time he was well north of 100 years old, folks!  Oh yeah; God can make your body fruitful again!  He renewed his youth like the eagle's.

God purposely waited until Abram's body had become "dead" that there would be absolutely NO DOUBT it was Him Who accomplished this feat.  The God Who made everything stepped in and said to him in effect, "I Am Almighty God.  I Am able to make your body fruitful again."

The two chapters in between these two "first mentions" of these Names of God in Psalm 91 are in the exact same order in the book of Genesis as they are in this psalm:  Elyon first; Shaddai 2nd.  THE TWO CHAPTERS IN BETWEEN, 15 & 16, CONTAIN THE KEY TO FINDING THE SECRET PLACE.  

Find out what God is saying here and you will find The Secret Place.

In chapter 15 God (Jesus) preached the gospel to Abraham written in the night sky. 

(For more on this topic, see my post on the real story in the stars:  http://emmausrevelations.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-real-story-in-stars.html)

The Stars tell the story of The Great Champion that God would send to defeat the devil.  He actually believed the very same Gospel that you and I believe which was "credited to him as righteousness."  

This entire chapter is all about JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH, NOT WORKS, just as we are taught.  

"Not by works, lest any man should boast."

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN THE BIBLE GOD TELLS US HOW TO BE JUSTIFIED BY FAITH.

Key #1 to finding the Secret Place:  Understand you are justified by faith, not works.

In Genesis 16 Abraham sent Hagar and her son packing.  The Apostle Paul in Galatians 4 calls her a "type" of The Law.  In Genesis 16:9 God tells her:

"...Return to your mistress, and SUBMIT YOURSELF UNDER HER HAND.'" 

As Hagar is a type of the law Sarah typifies Grace.  God is plainly telling us that GRACE IS GREATER THAN THE LAW.  

Key #2: CAST OUT HAGAR, the Law.  WE ARE UNDER GRACE.

You'd better KNOW that you can't produce fruits by law, but by grace.  These two keys: Justification by faith and Ruled by Grace, not law, give us perfect rest, perfect peace in Jesus and His finished work.  

THIS IS THE SECRET PLACE.

The Good Samaritan

Luke 10:25-30 

"And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it? ” So he answered and said, “ ‘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 neighbor as yourself.’ ” And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.” But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

"Then Jesus answered and said....." 

We've all heard The story of the Good Samaritan, haven't we?  All of the sermons I have ever heard preached on this passage had me looking at me, reminding me to be charitable, kind and helpful to strangers.  While a true and noble Christian ideal, this story isn't really about you and I at all.

There are many truths hidden and lessons to learn from this story because the Bible is a multi-layered storehouse of treasures.  You'll find personal applications, learn scientific principles, even find prophecies concerning the end times.  Believe it or not, there's a timeline hidden here in this account!

Here's the scene:

Jesus was asked a question by this "certain lawyer"--probably a spy of the Pharisees (yawn)--who asked Him, "Who's my neighbor,"  with this story.  

Lawyers back then were not like what we think of today.  He was a graduate of and an an expert in the law of Moses, a master in Israel.  I'm sure he could quote the Bible backward and foreword verbatim. 

All these pharisaical types seem to ask the same, tired old question, don't they? "What shall I DO to inherit eternal life?"  Jesus threw the question right back at him asking "What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?"  He said "to love the LORD your God with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your NEIGHBOR as yourself."  

What that lawyer didn't know is that NOBODY CAN DO THAT.  Nobody can love God with all their heart, soul and mins.  Nevertheless, Jesus compliments the guy, even though his sole purpose for being there was to test and, hopefully, discredit Him.  

"You have answered rightly; do this and you will live."  

Well the guy didn't want to look like a complete idiot {uh.....too late!} so he asked, "Who is my neighbor?"  

He is about to find out just "WHO" is his neighbor. 

Let's follow the story.
“A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.  

Now by chance a certain PRIEST came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by ON THE OTHER SIDE. 

Likewise a LEVITE, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by ON THE OTHER SIDE. (Luke 10:30-32 NKJV)

Jerusalem, geographically speaking, is very high at 2,540' above sea level as compared to Jericho which is the lowest point on the planet: 825' below sea level to be exact.  That's a drop of 3,365' folks!    

Jerusalem is the city of God but Jericho is the city of the curse.  This man left the "city of God" and descended to the "city of curse." Whenever you leave God, YOU GO DOWN, DOWN, DOWN.  

Along the road thieves and robbers attacked him, stripped him of his clothing and wounded him, leaving him half dead.     

Who is this man?  He's all of us.  We were made perfect but we fell from grace--Jerusalem, the city of God--and ended up under the curse.  We were robbed, stripped, wounded, and left half dead, the devil being the chief bandit.

That's what really happened when Adam and Eve fell.  They died spiritually, passing that condition on to all of us.  Mankind is in the same condition as the man in the story.  We are poor, blind and naked, spiritually cut off from God until.....we accepted Jesus as our Savior!  He resurrected our spirit and we are now reconciled and reconnected with God!

I'm sure you've met people who, though their heart is beating and they're walking and talking, are really half dead.  They need Jesus to resurrect their spirit!

How very sad.  Both the priest AND the Levite (the religious set) came by, saw the man's predicament and CONSCIOUSLY decided to PASS BY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD.  They are a picture of the fact that the devil wants to make Christianity into a "religion," a set of rules and regulations WHICH IT IS NOT.      

The priests of ancient Israel worked INSIDE the temple, the house of God, while the Levites' job was to assist them.  They are all a depiction of "Religious" folk today.   What did they both do?  Avoided contact with this unfortunate man.  These were the people who were supposed to be in touch with God. These are the ones who were supposed to protect, feed and care for the flock.  But not only did they NOT do that, they left the man broken and bleeding.  They were devoid of compassion.

The next portion of Jesus' narrative no doubt shocked and dismayed the lawyer.

"But a 'certain' Samaritan, as he journeyed, CAME WHERE HE WAS. And when he saw him, HE HAD COMPASSION.  So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an INN, and took care of him.

Samaritans of Jesus' day considered themselves to be Jews, though they actually were not.  The Jews hated them like modern day Jews hate those who call themselves "Palestinians" today, speaking generally.  

Back then, when Jews needed to travel to the Galilee region, instead of going straight north, which would be the most direct route, would take the Eastern route {see map}, cross over the Jordan river, skirt around Samaria and cross back over the Jordan into Galilee.

Who is this "certain Samaritan?  It isn't just ANYONE.  It's Our Lord Jesus, of course!  He came down to earth, a Divine Stranger from the city of God because He does have COMPASSION on us.  If He hadn't come down to where we were, we would never be able to come up to where He is.  

Let's continue the story. 

On the next day, when he departed, he took out TWO DENARII, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, WHEN I COME AGAIN, I will repay you.’"

A denarius is a Roman silver coin equals to one whole day's wage.  This certain Samaritan gave the innkeeper TWO DENATII.  That's payment for TWO DAYS WAGES. 

In situations such as these, what would normally happen was the man should have been taken back to Jerusalem.  But since the Jews rejected Jesus He brought the man to a very unlikely place:  AN INN.  This inn is a picture of the Gentile Church.  He gave the innkeeper "two days wages," promising that if any additional expenses were incurred, he would be repayed

Remember what the Apostle Peter said?  "But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." (II Peter 3:8.)

After TWO DAYS the Good Samaritan.....Jesus.....will return to the inn:  The Church! 

Jesus has been gone 2,000 years and, as God counts time, it's only been two days.  HE WILL BE COMING BACK FOR THE CHURCH VERY SOON.

Jesus ends this whole story saying, "So which of these three do you think was NEIGHBOR to him who fell among the thieves?” And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” 

Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:36-37 NKJV)

We've been taught that this whole story is about loving your neighbor, being kind to the less fortunate, etc., etc., right?  While it is good to do so, that is not what Jesus was saying here.  

Look a little closer.  The obvious answer is THE GOOD SAMARITAN was a NEIGHBOR to him.  What did the lawyer say about the Law of Moses?  The last line said to "Love your NEIGHBOR as yourself.  And who of the three:  The priest, the Levite or Jesus, acted like a "NEIGHBOR" to the man?"  

JESUS!

Go and do thou likewise.  Love your NEIGHBOR.  LOVE JESUS!     

And that, Church, is the teal heart of the matter in the story of The Good Samaritan.