Neighborly

Created using ChatGPT

33 But a Samaritan while traveling came upon him, and when he saw him he was moved with compassion. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, treating them with oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, 'Take care of him, and when I come back I will repay you whatever more you spend.' 36 Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?" 37 He said, "The one who showed him mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

(Luke 10:33-37)

Jesus told the Good Samaritan story in response to a question from a legal scholar. The man wanted to know who qualified as a neighbor so he'd know who, exactly, he was supposed to love. Jesus, instead, explained how we are supposed to love. In the story, a man was robbed and beaten. Two respected members of the community - a priest and a Levite - passed by the man without offering any assistance. Then, a Samaritan - a hated member of the community - saw the injured man and took exceptional care of him.

Jesus turned every expectation his listener had on its head. Two people he wanted to view as "good guys" did not do good, and the one he considered an enemy went above and beyond in his caring response. The legal expert would have understood the rules of cleanliness that might have restricted the ability of the priest and the Levite to offer hands-on assistance, but surly they could have sought help on behalf of the injured man. Then, to have such a reviled figure as the Samaritan to be cast as the hero of Jesus' story would have forced this questioner to face his prejudice, his sin, directly. He had started out trying to justify himself before Jesus - basking in the ways he was "keeping the law" - but Jesus, without directly calling him out, helped him gain some humility.

Jesus taught that the law should be secondary to the love. God's love is not restricted by our list of enemies, and it's not reserved for those we consider good. All are created in God's image and all are sinners. We don't get to pick and choose whom to love - everyone is our neighbor. The question is, how are we going to be neighborly and extend to all the love and grace God gives us so freely?

4 Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. 5 Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all day long. 6 Be mindful of your mercy, O LORD, and of your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. 7 Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O LORD! (Psalm 25:4-7)