Jesus told of the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10: 29-37 in answer to a question, who is my neighbor? As we examine this parable at the feet of the Holy Spirit, we pray that our lives would be affected positively as children of God in Christ Jesus.
The synopsis
A lawyer asked Jesus, who is my neighbour? In response, Jesus told a story of a Samaritan who helped and cared for a stranger who had been robbed and stripped of his belongings, wounded and left half dead. A priest and a Levite who passed by did not help the wounded.
A Samaritan also passed by but showed compassion to the wounded. He took him to an inn, paid and assumed the expenses for his needs till his recovery. Jesus then asked which of the three, the priest, the Levite or the Samaritan was the neighbour of the wounded person. The Lawyer replied, the Samaritan. Jesus said to him, Go and do likewise.
Who were the Samaritans?
They were a racially mixed society of Jews and pagan ancestry. They did not believe in the whole Jewish gospel but were strict adherents to the Sabbath regulations. Therefore they were despised by the normal Jews because they perceived them as evil contaminants. However, it was such people that Jesus recommended to the Lawyer to emulate as a neighbor. The spirit of neighbourliness was engrained in the Samaritan culture. God shows interest in our personal deeds not the culture or race etc.
God’s children are known by their deeds and not what they profess. Matthew 7: 16; Luke 6: 44 say you shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Matthew 7: 20 says by their fruits you shall know them. In every good lies God’s Spirit and God accepts goodness. Ephesians 5: 9-10 say for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness in truth proving what is acceptable to the Lord. Revelation 20: 13 says… they shall be judged every man according to their works. What is our culture or deeds by which we shall be judged?
What was the Samaritan’s circumstance?
This can be gleaned from Luke 10: 30. The Samaritan helped the wounded in the most uncomfortable and threatening environment. It was a place of thieves, robbers, violent people, inconsiderate people, hostile people, daring people, unfriendly people, selfish people, aggressive people, unconscionable people, a place without security or assurance of security, a place of possible death.
The Samaritan showed extreme bravery; a real commitment to uphold a noble culture; and a willingness to sacrifice his life to pursue help for another. Christ Jesus did likewise when he came to die for us. John 15:13 says greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. We must not chicken out from showing love in the face of imminent danger. John 13:34 says a new commandment I give to you, love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. How selective are we when it comes to helping a neighbour? Are we true neighbours?
What culture was being told by Jesus?
This is set out in Luke 10: 38. It was a culture of compassion and care which embodied bravery to overstep the picket lines of cultural and religious feud; sacrifice of time and resources to save a life, and to restore happiness to a stranger; bravery to do what was right even in a hostile environment; the motivation to show selflessness, togetherness, forgiveness and reconciliation in despise and dispute; and to place the comfort of the soul above all businesses. These are God’s love. The Samaritan was not influenced by the differences with the Jews or the attendant violations of their culture and dignity.
God’s love and human life came first. 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 say love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way, it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. Ephesians 4:2 says love is eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. What comes first in our lives or what influences our decisions regarding God’s will?
Why did Jesus call him a neighbour?
To Jesus good neighbourliness is pivoted on God’s character of unconditional love and mercy which the Samaritan simply exhibited. James 1: 17 says every good endowment and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow to change.
Jesus showed this love towards the Samaritans when at Jacob’s well he opened a dialogue with the woman of Samaria in John 4: 7-9 when the Jews had no dealings with Samaritans. The Samaritan was a good neighbour because he did the will of God no matter the circumstances. He passed the test which the priest and the Levite failed though they bore conferred titles as God’s ordained servants. Let us reach out to our neighbours beyond all barriers for the sake of Christ Jesus.
The apostles reached out to the regions of Judea and Samaria in Acts 8: 1. Peter and John did likewise in Acts 8: 14. Everyone is special and clean to God in Acts 10: 28. We are all one in Christ in Galatians 3: 28. Christ is all and in all says Colossians 3: 11 so no barriers should stop us from being good neighbours or Good Samaritans. Jesus said in John 10: 15 as the Father knows me, even so I know the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep (see also verse 17). What were the qualities which made the Samaritan a Good Samaritan? Are we GOOD SAMARITANS BEFORE GOD?
Prayer
Dear Lord, in our selfishness, we have failed to be good neighbours. We plead for your pardon. In times of hate, teach us to show unconditional love. When we face pain, it leads us to pray. In our despair, lead us to exercise faith in you. When we are in need, teach us to sacrifice for your name sake. When we are vilified, let us show the truth in humility. When the world invites us, help us to remain faithful to you because you are faithful. Make us the Samaritans you desire in your holy name, Amen!!
