If you hear the time period “Good Samaritan,” what involves thoughts?
My guess is you consider somebody who helps a stranger, somebody who’s selfless, form, and compassionate. You probably have a optimistic response to this time period. In our tradition its grow to be a universally optimistic phrase.
However in Jesus’ time, “Good Samaritan” would have been an oxymoron. It wasn’t a praise, it was surprising. Offensive, even.
When Jesus instructed the parable of the Good Samaritan, He wasn’t simply sharing a feel-good story. He was difficult deeply held beliefs, flipping expectations the wrong way up, and forcing His listeners to rethink what it actually means to like others.
The parable of the Good Samaritan is among the most well-known parables Jesus ever instructed. However the which means of the great samaritan would have been a lot totally different to Jesus’ 1st-century viewers than us as we speak.
So, I need to break down this story and see what it actually means for us as we speak.
In case you haven’t learn the Good Samaritan story you’ll be able to learn it right here: Luke 10:25-37
The Context Of The Parable Of The Good Samaritan
The Good Samaritan begins off with a lawyer (spiritual chief) testing Jesus by asking him a query (Luke 10:25).
What should I do to inherit everlasting life?
We all know his motives. Luke makes clear that the lawyer isn’t within the query, he simply needs to check him. However Jesus is aware of this so fairly than reply his query he responds with one other.
“What’s written within the Legislation? How do you learn it?” (Luke 10:26)
What’s attention-grabbing is the lawyer responds accurately in Luke 10:27-28. Jesus even tells him that, however he tacks on that it’s not okay to simply understand it. It’s important to truly dwell it.
The lawyer is sharp and he sees what Jesus simply did. Jesus simply referred to as him out on not residing as much as what he believes. Now he’s confronted with learn how to reply. He can both repent and repair his methods. Or attempt to justify his actions. He selected the latter.
And who’s my neighbor? (Luke 10:29)
Realizing he can’t truly dwell out the legislation completely, he searches for the loophole. He’s attempting to justify himself. He’s not fascinated about following Jesus; he simply needs the rewards. He doesn’t need to know who his neighbor is; fairly who his neighbor isn’t. That means he can slim the sector so he can declare that he’s fulfilling the legislation.
He was additionally following the widespread educating of the day. Rabbinic literature of the day made a transparent distinction that your “neighbor” was solely to incorporate Israelites. What Jesus is about to do is develop the parameters of who his neighbor is. Far past the place this lawyer, or any Jew, could be comfy.
He does this by telling a narrative. The story of the Good Samaritan.
The That means Of The Good Samaritan
The parable of the Good Samaritan is a response to BOTH questions the lawyer requested. Jesus doesn’t simply tackle his justifying query, “Who’s my neighbor?” but in addition his first, “What should I do to be saved?” Based mostly on these two questions Jesus launches into this parable.
Scene 1: The Setup
The story of the Good Samaritan is fictional, however the particulars are pulled from actual life. Luke 10:30 begins off with a person touring from Jerusalem to Jericho. This highway was recognized to be harmful. Thieves would usually cover within the many caves, curves, and cliffs and ambush unsuspecting vacationers. It’s not a route you’d journey alone.
From the start, these listening would have acknowledged how silly it was for this man to take that route by himself. And naturally, the inevitable occurs… the traveler is overwhelmed up and robbed.
He obtained what was going to him. However this isn’t a narrative of the results of silly choices. Jesus is about to throw a curveball.
Scene 2: The Spiritual Losers
The traveler is badly overwhelmed and barely hanging onto life when a priest comes throughout him (Luke 10:31). However the preliminary hope is quickly dissipated. The priest doesn’t assist. Not solely does he not assist, however Jesus makes clear that he went out of his method to cross by on the opposite facet of this half-dead traveler. He needs nothing to do with him.
Subsequent, a Levite comes by the bloodied traveler (Luke 10:32). Absolutely he’ll cease and assist, proper? Nope. He too passes by on the opposite facet.
Each of those first two folks had been clergymen. A priest’s job was to officiate temple sacrifices and Levites helped preserve the temple and its’ companies. Each of those jobs required them to stay ceremonially clear whereas on obligation. There was a listing of issues they couldn’t do, certainly one of them being touching a useless physique, or actually any bodily fluid.
These spiritual leaders had been inserting their adherence to the principles over the wants of individuals. They missed the purpose. These spiritual leaders had been extra involved with their outward look of cleanliness than the precise situation of their hearts.
The lawyer’s coronary heart must be sinking as a result of he can see himself within the story. He would have probably executed the identical factor. However Jesus isn’t executed, it’s about to worsen.
Scene 3: The Unsuspecting Hero
“However a Samaritan…” Luke 10:33
These phrases as we speak are misplaced on us. After we see the phrase Samaritan we consider one thing good. The time period “Good Samaritan” would have been an oxymoron to the lawyer and the Jews of the day. The Samaritans had been hated by the Jews and had been seen as half-breeds. There was an intense rivalry that usually turned violent.
Within the lawyer’s eyes, the Samaritans may do nothing proper. However in Jesus’ story, it’s the spiritual that do improper.
Jesus doesn’t cease with the Samaritan simply checking on the man; he goes above and past (Luke 10:34-35). The nice Samaritan not solely has compassion however his compassion strikes him to motion. He cleans and binds up his wounds, brings him to an inn, cares for him, and pays for his keep. At nice price to himself, he ensured this man was cared for.
The symbolism on this story is putting. The Samaritan was hated by the spiritual leaders. As was Jesus. He rescued the one who wanted him essentially the most. As did Jesus on the cross. And he did all of this out of affection for somebody that might by no means repay him. As did Jesus.
The story ends with that. However nonetheless, Jesus isn’t fairly executed.
Scene 4: The Aftermath
Bear in mind this story was introduced on by two questions and Jesus is now circling again round to them. The lawyer’s questions of “What should I do to inherit everlasting life?” and “Who’s my neighbor?” present that he was targeted on the improper factor. He was involved with appropriate theology. However Jesus exhibits that understanding the precise reply is inadequate. All the proper Bible data is ineffective if it doesn’t lead it to life transformation.
Jesus exhibits the lawyer he was asking the improper query. The query isn’t who’s my neighbor, or what’s the precise factor to consider. As a substitute, he ought to be asking, how can I be an excellent neighbor? And how can I dwell out my beliefs?
To drive his level dwelling Jesus poses a query to the lawyer, “Which of those three do you suppose was a neighbor to the person who fell into the palms of robbers?” (Luke 10:36)
The lawyer can’t even say the identify… “The one who had mercy on him.” (Luke 10:37) He can’t carry himself to confess that the great Samaritan was a greater higher neighbor than he.
What The Good Samaritan Means For Us At this time
It’s simple to learn this story and look down on the lawyer. However I need to problem you not to try this. As a substitute use this story as a mirror to look at your self. Are you extra just like the lawyer or the great Samaritan? Are you being an excellent neighbor?
It’s simple to shortly reply that query. However Jesus’ story forces us to truly study our lives to see for ourselves. The purpose of the great samaritan story is easy. Love your neighbor as your self. It’s easy to know, nevertheless it’s actually arduous to truly dwell out.
So I need to finish by serving to you truly apply it to your life. Listed here are 4 classes we are able to pull from the Good Samaritan.
1. Pray For God’s Coronary heart
We frequently overvalue data and downplay obedience. Very like the lawyer. The nice Samaritan story teaches us that data isn’t sufficient, we’d like the precise coronary heart.
The issue is we’re not superb at altering our personal coronary heart. I might argue that on our personal it’s unattainable. That’s why it’s essential that we begin with prayer. God can domesticate in us a coronary heart that beats like his, if we let him.
So, pray for God to vary your coronary heart.
Jesus additionally teaches this precept with the wealthy younger ruler, I’ve written about that interplay right here: The Wealthy Younger Ruler
2. Maintain Your Eyes Open
We stroll by folks in want every single day. Positive they may not be bloodied and overwhelmed up, however they’re nonetheless hurting and need assistance. The issue is we simply don’t see them. We have to open our eyes.
Open your eyes and go searching. Who’s round you? And what do they want that you would be able to present?
3. Don’t Hesitate
After we see somebody in want we frequently conjure up all the explanations we shouldn’t assist. We don’t have the precise phrases, another person will assist them, we aren’t certified, or another excuse.
And hear I get it. It’s robust. It may be scary. However don’t let these fears maintain you from serving to these round you. There’s extra at stake than you probably notice. As a substitute, while you really feel these fears and people excuses are ringing round in your head say a prayer. Ask God for braveness and take a step of religion.
For extra on what this appears to be like like take a look at: How To Observe Jesus
4. Reside Generously
If we aren’t cautious we are able to simply get caught up residing for under ourselves. Our lives grow to be all about us, our wants, and what we would like. That’s a horrible story to inform with our lives. And it gained’t change anybody.
God created us to dwell a greater story. To truly make an affect on somebody. However we are able to solely do this after we dwell generously. After we give fairly than take. After we put others’ wants above our personal.
How will you dwell generously for the advantage of these round you?
The Parable of The Good Samaritan is a problem for us to judge our lives and see how we’re loving our neighbors. Can we love our neighbors as ourselves? The nice Samaritan did simply that. Could we go and do likewise.
BA in Biblical Research – Ozark Christian Faculty (2012)
MA in Theology – Regent College (2019)
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