It was a reversal…from what you would normally expect. It was a startling message “then.” It was controversial. It was a “how could he say that” – kind of story! It was a shaking of the foundation.
A lawyer…more like a “high brow professor” of the Torah came to Jesus and asked a question.
They were “always coming.” One after another…after another…always trying to entrap…to trip up…to catch him in something stated that he could not take back.
“What must I do to inherit eternal life,” he asks…
Jesus being who Jesus is…Jesus being “the consummate teacher”-fires back another question to his questioner.
“What is written in the law” (read Torah, read 5 Books of Moses, read the Pentateuch)—Jesus says. What do you read “there?”
It is “a well asked question” to one who studies the law, knows the law, recites the law…and supposedly keeps the law…every iota of the law, that is.
The guy has his doctorate, after all…he should know a thing or two…maybe.
Without a thought, the “highbrow” cites Deuteronomy 6.5…and Leviticus 19.18 just like a Baptist preacher. Every Confirmand has read those verses.
The Lawyer says, “Love God and your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus gives him a gold star and an A+ for his answer…and Jesus turns to leave…
When the Dr. of the Law says, “And who is my neighbor?” it was because he was going for extra credit, being the over-achiever that he was…he was engaging for entrapment.
He wanted everybody to know he had status…he had “good status” – “high status”…in a shame and honor society…he was to be “highly honored and admired…”
In response, Jesus goes on with this lengthy story about “some Samaritan” of all peoples…
I mean, who cares about a Samaritan story?
Jesus is quite specific. He pushes all kinds of buttons. There is blood. There is gore. There is an individual left for dead. And he is “naked.” Stark naked. Naked as the day he was born. He was bludgeoned and severely beaten. Gross! A real mess. Left laying in the gutter. Blood seeping into the ground…
Now he gets to the good part in the story. A priest shows up…a holy man. A righteous one. Followed quickly by a Levite. The Tribe of Levi. The same tribe as Moses came from…the priestly clan…those who know the will of God…
But they unfortunately both cross over and “walk on the other side…”
They do not want to become “involved”…heck, they cannot be involved…they would become “ritually unclean.” Unfit to serve their God. Incapable of Temple service. Denied access.
Then, lo and behold, there comes a Samaritan.
Shock of shocks! A foreigner. A half-breed. A dog. A hated and despised neighbor. And he, he of all peoples, does what is right. He cares. He reaches out. He and he alone is moved to compassion. This “bad guy” this lousy neighbor to the North does the unexpected. He does the right thing.
The Samaritan (shock of shocks) dresses the victim’s wounds’ – sanitizes them with oil and wine, slings him over his mule and finds for him a place to recover. He even pays the proprietor two days wages, and gives further instructions and furthermore, guarantees to pay even more money when he comes back this way again. WOW!!!!
And get this, he was a Samaritan!
Then Jesus popped the big question he has been savoring from the beginning.
This was the question of questions. This was the actual teaching moment.
“Which guy was neighbor to the guy in the ditch?”
The answer was obvious to everyone, including the lawyer. The guy who acted with pity… The guy who showed compassion… The guy that did “the most loving thing…”
Jesus said, “Go, and do the same!”
Go and do likewise!
Now it is up to you to actually show compassion toward another human being.
So who have you had “pity on” recently and to “who’s aid” have you come? We are not talking family here – either. These men were complete and utter strangers.
When was the last time you came to the aid of a stranger…?
Remember, Jesus said to each one of us, “You go, and do likewise!” Amen.