Question 5: Which of These 3 Acted Like a Neighbor?
This is the fifth post in a series where I’m sharing questions Jesus asked.
I love the kind of questions that challenge me to think differently than I might have before. In a way, it allows me to explore the answers I believe God has already planted inside me.
Most of the questions Jesus asked can be found in the Gospels: Matthew. Mark. Luke. John.
In this series, here’s what you’ll find:
THE QUESTION.
THE REFERENCE.
THE STORY.
A KIND REMINDER.
Keep reading for links to the other posts!
Luke 10: 25- 37 | The Parable of the Good Samaritan
A play-by-play conversation between an expert man of the Law (M) and Jesus (J)
M: “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Jesus responds with a question.
J: “What is written in the law?” he asked him. “How do you read it?”
M: “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.”
J: “You’ve answered correctly. Do this and you will live.”
In the mind of a Jew and expert of the Law, their neighbor would have been a fellow Jew. The Bible tells us that “wanting to justify himself”, the man asks another question.
M: “And who is my neighbor?”
J: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him up, and fled, leaving him half dead.
A Priest happened to be going down that road. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
In the same way, a Levite, when he arrived at the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
But a Samaritan on his journey came up to him, and when he saw the man, he had compassion. He went over to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on olive oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him. When I come back I’ll reimburse you for whatever extra you spend.’
“Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor?”
M: “The one who showed mercy to him,” he said.
J: “Go and do the same.”
I grew up knowing this story and the moral — Be the Good Samaritan! But recently I gained new insight and a deeper understanding that I couldn’t keep to myself. There’s so much more to this parable and I’m amazed at how Jesus utilizes this story perfectly. Let’s answer a few questions so we can get some more context!
Who is the man walking down the road? A Jew.
Why would a man be traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho? They would have been on their way to the temple to offer their service.
In what condition was the man left after having been robbed and beaten? He was left half-dead. What a sad and unfortunate situation!
Who passed by first and why did he not stop? A priest. He’s at the top in terms of hierarchy. By helping the man, he would have risked becoming a person who is ceremonially unclean. Remember, he’s on his way to the temple.
Who passed by next and why did he not stop? A Levite. He’s another “good guy” who had responsibility over aspects of the temple. Again, touching the man would have left him ritually impure and unable to enter the Temple for a period of time. They (understandably) both chose to maintain their ritual purity.
Who came up to the man and what do we learn about him? A Samaritan is our third person to arrive on the scene. Culturally he is considered a “half-breed” and was hated by the Jewish Community. He shows compassion. He has oil and wine with him (for healing ailments). He had his own animal. He brought the man to an inn and took care of him. He could afford to part with 2 days of wages. In short, he was a person of considerable means and resources.
get this…
You and me. We are the man in the ditch. Without a miracle and someone to save us, we’re as good as dead. Along comes a man (who is rejected by the Jews). He has the means to save and heal. He has great resources. He gives at his own personal cost. He cares for our immediate needs. He leaves a deposit. He goes away. He promises to return.
Who is this Good Samaritan? It’s Jesus.
In your life, who is difficult to love? Let’s start by praying for them. And then, let’s
ONE LINER:
“Go and do the same”
QUESTION 1: What do you want me to do for you?
QUESTION 2: Why are you thinking these things in your heart?
QUESTION 3: What are you looking for?
QUESTION 4: When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?