Jesus was a story-teller. He was a master story-teller. When Jesus told a story, people were “supposed to” listen.
Trust me – there will be something to be gained…something to learn, if you do!
You will be “the better” – for listening to the story and hearing it out. You will probably also be surprised.
His stories pulled you in. They were “colorful.” You could imagine them “occurring” – as he told the story.
He was amazing.
The perfect story – at the perfect time…obviously reaching the perfect conclusion…
The interesting thing is…
That Jesus chooses, in many cases, to answer “a question” with “a story.”
He doesn’t answer the question directly but only “indirectly.” He answers the question “with a story.”
You must draw your own conclusion.
The answer to the question asked – is to be found “wrapped up” in the story-told.
So, like any student, you need to “listen carefully” to the teacher…especially, as he tells a story.
Usually when Jesus tells a parable in Luke, it is a “life-altering event” for the person who hears it because the message of Jesus is the one we don’t want to hear…and definitely do not expect!
Jesus shows us “how to speak a story” to what is “unjust in life.” In his stories he will “lift up” the ones – that are put down. He becomes their champion!
When we go to the left, Jesus veers to the right.
It is usually a time of “reversals” when – Jesus decides to tell you a story.
And you have a “couple of options” before you…like running at the onset, or staying and having the possibility of having your life be changed – because of it…
When Jesus tells a story, you usually do not see – what is coming…next…
The lawyer in tonight’s text – did not expect to be answering his own question.
Not only does Jesus answer his question with another question, he also answers it with a story.
The lawyer was hoping to “trip up” Jesus – to “catch him” in some kind of blasphemous statement…and instead he hears nothing of the sort…and is faced with answering his own question.
We know that the Rabbis were often asked questions of this sort. And now, as then, it depended upon which Rabbi you asked…what kind of a response you might receive.
There were those rabbis who would bludgeon you to death with their biblical quotes. They could and would go on for seemingly an eternity…quoting this book and that book…
For others, there would be “no definitive answer,” just more confusion…and more questions to follow…
Still others might do a “hard sell” – on getting you to embrace and accept their answer…as being the only possibility.
Not Jesus.
What I want you to know is that – for Jesus’ listeners…they would probably have liked this story.
Then as now, there was some grass roots resistance to the high muckety – muck ones! So any story against them would have been extremely entertaining.
As told by Jesus, his story was all about compassion, loving, caring and providing assistance to one – who was in need.
It wasn’t about the “who” – but rather about the “what” they were “doing” or “not doing…”
The neighbor is one who does…
The neighbor is one who cares…
The neighbor is one who reaches out…
The “who” doesn’t matter – as much as the “what” he or she does…
It is about providing assistance. It is about doing “something.” It is about not walking on the other side. It is about not ignoring and walking away. It is not about looking the other way.
It is about the one who shows mercy… “whoever” that one…happens to be.
It is about “the caring response.”
Being neighbor according to this definition has nothing whatsoever to do with “proximity”…and everything to do with “showing mercy”…
It is about “doing…” showing, caring.
And therefore, Jesus at the end of his story says, “Go and do likewise.”
Show mercy…
Be merciful…
Spread mercy…
Embrace mercy…
Go, and be “that kind of a neighbor” to those in need. You be the one to care!