And I cried.
Because this is the hard stuff.
And God, in His kindness, reveals it to us in layers as not to overwhelm us.
But on a rainy Friday morning in May I see it and I can’t escape it.
It’s a familiar story. The good Samaritan.
Only this time seen in a relatively different light.
One day an expert in religious law, in other instances referred to as a Pharisee, scribe, or a lawyer, stood before Jesus to test Him. He asks Him a question, “Teacher what do I have to do to inherit eternal life?” (verse 25)
Jesus, in a way only Jesus could do, answers Him with a question in the man’s “supposed” expertise. He says to the man, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?” (verse 26)
The man answers as best he knows how, and the Passion Translation interprets it to be, “You must love the Lord God with all your heart, all your passion, all your energy, and every thought. And you must love your neighbor as yourself.” (verse 27)
The answer was right and acceptable to Jesus and He responds, “Right! Do this and you will live.” (verse 28)
But look at verse 29.
The man, wanting to justify his actions, goes a step further and ask Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
Jesus continues with the story - the one we now know to be the parable of the Good Samaritan.
And we know the story.
A Jewish man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho was attacked by bandits and left to die on the side of the road.
A priest and a temple assistant both pass him by, only to leave him there, ignoring his need for help.
The third passerby was a Samaritan man, known in the NLT as a, “despised” Samaritan, and being moved with compassion goes over to the injured Jew, soothes his wounds, bandages him up, transports him on his own donkey to an inn where he would be even further taken care of, and pays for the bill entirely.
And Jesus asks him a final question in verse 36, “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked?” And the man responds, once again correctly, “The one who showed him mercy.” (verse 37)
Jesus’ closing words bring me to tears, “Yes, now go and do the same.”
It is important to note that the word Samaritan isn't here describing a geographical area, but rather a person who lived as a, “keeper of the law.” And so hearing these words of Jesus would have been of great significance to the one who was looking to justify poor behavior. Jesus’ response served as proof that the law of Moses was accelerated by the coming of the Messiah. Remember Jesus had said, “I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.” (Mt 5:17)
And Jesus here is giving the man - and us - the condition of kingdom inheritance.
The story reminds us that we are called to love our neighbor regardless of worthiness. That we are called to radical kindness despite racial divide, religious viewpoints, or fundamentally challenging or even dangerous circumstances.
Love always sacrifices.
And love for God and for His kingdom advancement, should always be our primary goal.
Both of the men who passed the Jew by should have brought relief to the sufferer, but they missed the opportunity to be Jesus with skin on. They were bound by their professions and filled with excuses even though they were fully aware of the man’s condition.
The Samaritan saw a chance to behave more Christlike in the moment, and because of it became the example for every one of us. He chose to help a total stranger, one who couldn’t possibly repay him, one rejected by his very own people, and one who stood to tarnish his own reputation had onlookers observed his actions.
But it was a risk he was willing to take.
Because at the end of the day aiding a disadvantaged casualty was a chance to offer the kind of redemptive solution our Jesus is well known for.
The Samaritan serves the Jew without asking questions, without attempting to misapply his responsibility, without selfish fear, and possessing self-denial with tenderness and care.
And for that, Jesus says, he was the one who would experience the kingdom of God.
I would say it out loud - I’ve got work to do!
To love like the Samaritan and to serve like our Savior.
It is possible.
And necessary for those who wish to abide in the Presence of greatness.
I hear Him call to me today, “Now go and do the same.”
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