Reflection:
We all know the story of the Good Samaritan well. But do we know why Jesus told this powerful parable?
In Luke 10:25, we read that an expert in the Law, probably a Pharisee, comes to Jesus asking what he needs to do to gain eternal life. Jesus gets him to answer his own question and he rightly quotes Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18 which summarize the Old Testament Law.
Jesus tells him to go and do this and he will live. But this religious scholar wants to find a loophole so he asks, “And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29). Jesus, the Master Storyteller, challenges his self-righteous thinking with the Parable of the Good Samaritan. The dramatic story unfolds as, first, a priest and, then, a Levite pass by the needy half-dead fellow-Jew. Perhaps they were afraid or wanted to stay religiously clean.
The unpredicted then happens when help comes from a Samaritan, who, as a half-caste, is despised by the Jews. And yet he has compassion, taking his time and his resources, to make sure that the man recovers. Even the expert in the Law has to admit this was a display of mercy that a true neighbor would perform. Jesus concludes, “Go and do likewise” (Luke 10:37)!
We know we cannot keep the Law because we are by nature sinners and fall short of the requirements of the Law. In our helpless state it is only the mercy of God that can save us. Jesus, the only one who did not sin, died on the cross to meet the legal requirements of the Law for us. This we did not deserve. It is only because of his sacrificial love. Thank you Jesus!
And so now we have a debt or obligation to love and be merciful to all mankind (Rom 13:8-10). God longs for everyone from every nation, tribe, people and language to come into his Kingdom. God’s saving grace is for all. Our neighbor is not limited to the person next door or in our community or of our own kind but extends to all people and especially those in need both physically and spiritually. You can’t meet the needs of everyone, but you can ask the question, “God, who can I be a neighbor to today?”
What are your attitudes and actions towards those not of your own kind?
- Do you have a tendency to be ethnocentric – looking down on other races and societies believing the ways of your culture are superior?
- Do you demonstrate love to those with opinions and lifestyles different to your own?
- Do you sacrificially give yourself, your time and your resources for the welfare of others?
- Are you willing to change your thinking (repent) and act in a new way; the way of selfless, unconditional love?
Spend some quiet time before God now and allow His Spirit to bring conviction as to where you need to change. Be specific. Then ask Him for His help to go and do this in order to be a good neighbor to others.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, I humbly bow before you realizing that I have not been a good neighbor to others. At times, I have harbored distrust, bitterness and, yes, even hatred in my heart to others especially those who are of a different race, creed or social background. I have not thought or acted with mercy, grace or compassion towards them. I am sorry and I repent. I want to change my attitude and my actions. I know that I need your Holy Spirit poured out in my heart in order to love others sacrificially and unconditionally. Please help me. The needs around me, and beyond, are so many. Show me which of the needy I am to give myself, my time and my resources to as the Good Samaritan did. In Jesus’ name I pray. ~Amen
Continue in prayer using the 4 prayer points as the Lord leads you.
