The Good Samaritan

 Luke 10:25-37

Define 'WHO' my neighbour is?

On the surface and taken at face value, the Good Samaritan is a story about doing good to a stranger. 

The world has latched on to this allegory and even included it in 20th Century legislation, for people who step forward to provide emergency medical assistance to a stranger [Civil Laws (Wrongs) Act 2002 (ACT)s5; Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW) s 57; Personal Injuries (Liabilities and Damages) Act (NT) s 8; Civil Liability Act 1936 (SA) s 74; Civil Liability Act 2002 (Tas) s 35B; Wrongs Act 1958 (Vic) s 31B; Civil Liability Act 2002 (WA) s 5AD].

However, Jesus spoke in Parables, (Mt 13:10-17) because His followers were gifted to understand them (Mk 4:11-33).

So here is my interpretation:

This is a story about salvation, not kindness. The challenge is found in Jesus’ words “Go and do likewise”, prompting us to ask the question ‘what is likewise’?

We want our neighbour defined (vs 29)  (a parameter so to speak, for our responsibility to love others) but Jesus turns the question around and wants us to define ourselves, a personal confrontation comparing ourselves to Him (vs 36).

In this story we find

·      An expert in the law

·      A Priest with the Jews highest calling

·      A Levite with birth rite and privilege

·      A Samaritan considered unclean and despised by all Jews

·      A man with insignificant importance

·      An Inn Keeper

It’s a story where love is lavished unlimited on the un-expectant by the unexpected.

On a road referred to as ‘Blood Pass’ by the locals, few Jews dared to traverse, it was well known as a hideout for thieves and robbers. With Jerusalem being 3000ft up and Jericho being 1000ft down, it was a dangerous trek. The road to Jericho could be an allegory to life’s journey – many winding bends and crevices in which darkness and the unexpected troubles can hide, jumping out at us at any time.

Hidden within the parable is the same question asked by the rich young ruler (Mk 10:17-27) and Nicodemus (Jn 3:4) – “What must I do to inherit the Kingdom of God”.

It is not enough to ‘know’ the right answers; it is not enough to assess if it is in my calling; it is not enough to protect our self from defilement.

It is simply enough to love by action, without concern for  our selves – that love be defined by action and selflessness.

·      The expert in law: A Jew with authority (most likely a Levite as they were entrusted with the reading of the Torah in the Arc of the Covenant), knowledge, respect, position, and confidence. He seeks to trap Jesus in asking Him to define who our neighbours are. His motivation was not pure, but rather he needed his neighbour defined so as to know where his responsibilities end.

·      A Priest: A Jew and a Levite appointed by God and man (as only Levites could be appointed as Priests Deut 18:1) with the highest calling among the Hebrews. Most likely rich as they received tithing from the Israelites (Nu 18:21-35). He was a Holy man, with authority, position and respect.

·      A Levite: A man with a God appointed birth rite. All Priests were Levites, but not all Levites were Priests. Levites had certain privileges that descendants of the other 11 tribes were not given. He would have been connected with the community and was assigned responsibility in the tabernacle, setting him apart from everyone. (Ex 32:26-29). The Levites were commanded to love strangers (Lev 19:34) but turned it into a virtue to hate them(Ps 139:21-22).

·      A Samaritan: A Jew who was considered defiled and unclean, hated by most Jews. To understand why, one must understand simple history. Of the 12 tribes of Israel, the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half tribe of Manasseh lived on the other side of the Jordan, that was the land the Lord God gave them (Duet 3:12-20) When Assyria captured the northern kingdom of Israel in 721 B.C. some were taken in captivity while others were left behind. The ones left behind intermarried with the Assyrians. Thus these people were neither fully Hebrews nor fully Gentiles. The Samaritans had their own unique copy of the first five books of Scripture but rejected the other books of the Prophets and the writings, they also had their own unique system of worship and Alter (later destroyed by the Jews in 128BC).

Samaria was also a place where the outlaws / murderers could run to hide (Josh 20:1-9) ; the Jews had no dealings with the Samaritans (Jn 4:9). They were simply known as unclean, idolaters and half-breeds.

·      A ‘Man’: This man was insignificant to the parable, and yet, ironically he is the centre of the parable.

·      The Inn Keeper: He was simply going about his business and was tasked with the care of a stranger.

Points of interest:

·      2 Denarius is equivalent to two months worth of accommodation in the first century.

·      The Samaritan took an incredible risk

·      The Samaritan gave the Inn Keeper freedom to do whatever was needed.

·      Jesus said “by chance”….

“Go and do likewise”.

What did the Samaritan do?

He saw, he took compassion and he acted outside of his responsibility.

He gave medical attention, physical attention (which set himself as a disadvantage), he relocated, provided for his future needs, protected and provided sustenance. He gave an all night vigil to see that he was well enough and employed another to care for his needs until he returns. The Samaritan would have been aware that a Jew was his enemy.

Yet still he lavished unlimited love on an enemy.

I am an expert of the law : 1 Co 1:5

I am a Priest: 1 Pe 2:9; Rev 1:5-6

I am a Levite: 1 Pe 2:9; Heb 8:3

I am a Samaritan: Gal 3:29

I am a man: insignificant and in desperate need of help Acts 4:8-12, Ps 8:4

I am the Inn Keeper: Ro 12:4-5 One body with many members all working together.

Jesus “So which of these three do you think was neighbour to him who fell among the thieves?”

The definition of neighbour is everyone in your path, all the time, regardless of status. Now go do the same says our Lord.