Luke 10:25–37 – Motives for Coming to Christ

An appeal to consider not only what we want from Christ, but why we come to Him at all.

This article is adapted from a message preached on January 19, 2026. Watch the full sermon on YouTube.

Once again, we give thanks to God for the wonderful news of salvation—a message proclaimed for all people. This gospel is not reserved for the rich or the poor, not for one race or another, but it is offered freely to the entire world. Anyone who desires salvation may have it.

The subject before us is motives. Motives matter, because they reveal what truly lies within the heart. There can be good motives and bad motives, and Scripture gives us clear examples of both.

The Lawyer Who Wanted to Justify Himself

(Luke 10:25–29)

We begin in the Gospel of Luke:

“And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, ‘Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?’” (Luke 10:25–29, NKJV)

This expert in the law approached the Lord Jesus with a question—but not with a sincere heart. His motive was not to learn, but to test Christ and ultimately to justify himself. When asked what the law said, he answered correctly: love God with all your being, and love your neighbour as yourself. Yet when the Lord affirmed his answer, the lawyer pressed further, asking, “And who is my neighbour?”

His motive was self-exaltation. He wanted to define righteousness on his own terms.

The Good Samaritan and a Heart of Mercy

In response, the Lord Jesus gave the parable of the Good Samaritan. A man travelling from Jerusalem to Jericho was beaten, robbed, and left for dead. A priest passed by and ignored him. A Levite did the same. These were religious men—men who knew the law—but their motives did not lead them to mercy.

Then a Samaritan came along. A man despised by the Jews. Yet this Samaritan stopped, had compassion, bound the man’s wounds, took him to an inn, and paid for his care.

The contrast is clear. Religion did not produce love. Knowledge did not produce mercy. But a changed heart did.

Religion alone will never bring a person to Christ. You may know Scripture well. You may appear moral. But unless God has worked within you—unless there has been a change of nature—you remain unchanged.

Ten Lepers and One Thankful Heart

(Luke 17:11–19)

Next, we turn to Luke 17:

“Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers… And they lifted up their voices and said, ‘Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!’” (Luke 17:11–19)

Ten men cried out for mercy. All ten were healed. Yet only one returned to give thanks—and he was a Samaritan.

The nine wanted physical healing, and they received it. But they did not return to Christ. Only one recognized who Jesus truly was. He fell at His feet, glorified God, and gave thanks. To that man, the Lord said that he was not only healed, but saved.

Again, we see two motives. One group desired relief. One man desired Christ.

Physical healing is a wonderful thing, but the greatest need is not the body—it is the soul. Your soul will go out into eternity. This one man came back to Christ, and his soul was saved.

A Sinful Woman and a Self-Righteous Pharisee

(Luke 7:36–50)

Our final passage is found in Luke 7:

“And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner… stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears.” (Luke 7:36–50)

Simon the Pharisee saw himself as morally superior. In his heart, he questioned why Jesus would allow such a woman to touch Him. Yet the Lord exposed Simon’s true condition through a parable of two debtors—one forgiven much, the other little.

The woman knew she was a sinner. She was broken, grateful, and overwhelmed by mercy. Her love flowed from forgiveness. Simon, convinced of his own righteousness, showed little love because he felt little need.

The one forgiven much loves much.

The Greatest Motive of All

Throughout these passages, the contrast is unmistakable. Some came to Christ to test Him. Some came for physical healing. Some came out of religious pride. Others came broken, needy, and aware of their sin.

The truth is this: we are all sinners. None of us are righteous—not the Pharisees, not the lawyers, not the priests or Levites. There is only one who is holy, undefiled, and separate from sinners—the Lord Jesus Christ.

What keeps us separated from God?

Something is broken in every human life, and it affects our relationship with God.

Learn more

We have sinned against a holy God. We have broken His commandments and deserve judgment. Yet God, in His love, provided a substitute. The sinless One went to the rugged cross of Calvary, stood in your place and mine, and bore the punishment we deserved—so that we might be pardoned and set free.

Salvation is not complicated. When the question was asked:

“What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30–31)

The answer was clear: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.”

Not might be saved—you will be saved.

A Final Appeal

Do not come to Christ merely for what He can give you. Come to Him for who He is. No church can save you. No person can save you. Salvation is found in a Person—the Son of God—who took your place at Calvary.

If He could save me, He can save you.