FRIDAY, SPIRITUAL FOCUS

Good Samaritan 

In churches using the common lectionary, last Sunday’s Gospel was from Luke 10.  It is the story of the “Good Samaritan”.

In the story, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead.”

Three people go by - a priest, a Levite, and a dreaded Samaritan.

After King David, the nation was split into the Northern area (Israel), and the Southern Area (Judah).  Generally, the people of Judah kept the Mosaic law and had leaders (kings and prophets) that were faithful to the Jewish/Hebrew covenant with God.  And, generally, the northern area strayed from the Jewish laws. 

After some time, people from both areas were taken into captivity by Babylon.  Meanwhile back in the northern area (Israel), the people practiced their form of Judaism - a mixture of the Mosaic law and local religions.  They were “half-breeds” to most of the Jews.  They didn’t report to Jerusalem for worship at the temple.  Many had married non-Jews and were not following Jewish principles.  Therefore to the Jewish people, they were “untouchables” - don’t have any dealings with them - they don’t believe like we do!!!

Luke 9:51-56 says, “ And he sent messengers ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?   But Jesus turned and rebuked them. Then he and his disciples went to another village.

Here the Samaritan village didn't want anything to do with these Jews - because they were going to Jerusalem. Kind of like a “get out of here - scram”.  [It is interesting that James and John wanted to call down fire on the village].

*****

So, back to the story.

First, a priest walked by - and when he saw the man he crossed to the other side.  In Mosaic law, if you touched a dead man, you would be ceremonially unclean.  It isn’t sure if he thought the man was dead or alive.  If the man was alive, he may have thought “I’ve got a lot of my agenda today.  If I stop to help, I’ll mess up my plans.  I should be home by 5:00 and see my kids and wife.  But, if I stop and help him, it will be later and I might not even make it home tonight.

Then a Levite.  The Levites were also the priestly group - of Jacob’s son Levi.  Likewise, he didn’t want to be bothered - it would have messed up his life as well!!!  When Moses and Aaron (both of the clan of Levi) divided up the land, the Levites didn’t get an allotment of land as they were to work in the temple.  If the man was dead, he would be ceremonially unclean, and if he was alive it would have caused him to change his plans for the day.

And, finally - this Samaritan.

Let’s try a little rewrite first.  Let’s say the third man was a resident of Jericho (they were walking on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho).  So, he may have stopped and helped - maybe even taken him all the rest of the journey to Jericho.  “Just being a nice guy”.  He might be spiritual and say to himself “Show mercy to this poor guy”.  

But, Jesus wanted to stretch the meaning of “who is my neighbor”.  He picked a main character who really wasn’t a neighbor.  This person lived many miles away and was a half-breed. This person probably didn’t know the injured man, he was just on the road that day - happenstance.  

If the man was from Jericho, maybe somebody would know him.  Maybe the priest or Levite knew him (and maybe didn’t even like him).  

So, even though he was not a neighbor in the traditional sense of somebody who lives close by, he met the qualifications of “Love your neighbor as yourself”.  

The man - half breed, is not really described - was he tall? Short? Fat? Thin? A merchant? A farmer? A wine or olive grower?  Just a laborer?  We don’t know why he was on the road to Jericho.  He just was ‘there’.  

He didn’t seem to have any special skills.  He poured wine and olive oil over the cuts and abrasions.  (Things that he probably had in his backpack.)  

BUT - he showed mercy.  He acted with LOVE and with KINDNESS.  

*****

So, who might I meet today on my “road to Jericho” (or my road to the grocery store, or the general store?).  Maybe it will be a black woman or a Hispanic man?  Maybe it will be a Muslim woman with a hijab?  It probably won’t be anybody I know.  

What will I do?

I suppose I’ll call 911 and get some real medical help.  (As my father used to say, my son is a doctor and doesn’t help anybody!!).  I’ll stay there until the EMTs arrive.  I’ll talk to the person - maybe I’ll sing, or tell a dumb joke or story.  I’ll try to keep them calm.  If the injuries are not too bad, I might drive the person to the emergency room instead of calling the EMTs.  

And …. I’ll pay for their care.  (Okay, Karen, that is pretty loving.  I’m trying to learn “God will provide”!!!!)

What might you do?  Don’t pass on the other side!!  Be a “neighbor” 

Karen

July 15, 2022