Thoughts for the Day

Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he said, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the law? What do you read there?’ He answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.’ And he said to him, ‘You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.’

But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’ Jesus replied, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while travelling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 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.” Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

So let's revisit the story of the 'Good Samaritan', and look at it in detail:

The good Samaritan: There was no such thing as a 'good' Samaritan for most conventional Jews. We have seen how Samaria was infiltrated with Jews originally deported to Assyria who didn't keep the Law of Moses. In the books of Ezra and Nehemiah we have seen how these people caused great trouble for those returning from exile in Babylon. By the time of Jesus the Samaritans had also built another Temple to the horror of all orthodox Jews. Those who lived in Galilee travelling to Jerusalem would hurry through the territory of Samaria, and when Jesus talked to a Samaritan woman it shocked the disciples.

The journey from Jerusalem to Jericho: Jerusalem lies in the high hills 2,556 feet above sea level, and Jericho lies on the plains near the Dead Sea at 846 feet below sea level in the Jordan Valley. The journey from Jerusalem to Jericho was a terrifying descent, down a track that wound in and out of the gulley's that gave places for bandits to hide. Today, the narrow path overhangs steep drops, and the thought of taking a donkey down it is horrendous.

Those who didn't stop to help: The priest and Levite, possibly travelling up to Jerusalem to serve in the Temple would have been scared for their own lives, and keen not to become 'unclean' and unable to worship. The most obvious ones to help, became those who ignored the poor man!

Application today: Jesus says we should "Go and do likewise", copying the actions of the Samaritan to help all in need. That's how we love others and attain eternal life.

Lord Jesus Christ,
You call us to love our neighbour,
whoever that may be -
those we find easy to love
as well as those we dislike.
Help us to accept that we are called
to help others, whoever they may be.
Amen.