…when he saw him, the Samaritan took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. Luke 10:33-34
Jesus could have made the victim a despised Samaritan, and then had the good person be an outstanding Jewish person who showed compassion even to enemies. But he deliberately didn’t, and that was yet another strike against him, and would lead to his death.
I’ve been sitting with the puzzle of why Jesus was so provocative, and why he would literally put his life on the line to bring this parable to his hearers and to us. The message is that God can use anybody, even the least expected person, to bring practical love and care to those in need. It shows that God rates right actions even more highly than right beliefs. You may wish to take a moment to reflect on who have been the unexpected people that helped you when you were in trouble or need.
Another vital thing Jesus wants, is to break through religious, tribal or group barriers that stop those inside seeing the needs of others and acting to help. The religious expert who asked Jesus, ‘Who exactly is my neighbour?’ ended up having to answer Jesus’ question, ‘Who actually acted as a neighbour to the man in need?’ He answered very reluctantly. Our religious expert wanted neat groupings where it was right to help the people inside his group, and right to just ignore the rest. Our God does not think like that, and thankfully, does not act like that. He cares both for those who honour him, and those who ignore him completely.
The religious expert wanted to justify himself before God. That’s the temptation for all of us – to think we can manage our own goodness. Of course we can’t. Jesus gave up his life for us, so that we no longer have to constantly worry about whether we are good enough or doing enough. We simply trust that we are right with God, and then show love as we can to those around us.
It was a killer story for Jesus. Through his death on the cross, and his resurrection, it’s a life-giving story for us.
