Friday 11^th January

Luke 10:25-37 

Jesus loved a good parable. His parables were relatable stories, told to express divine Heavenly messages. His stories were so creative and very often, left hearts encouraged, convicted and sometimes even confused. Yet this is one of the few parables that concludes with the hearer being questioned and ultimately understanding (hopefully) Kingdom principles.

A young lawyer came to Jesus to out smart Him concerning eternal life. Jesus, in typical Jewish dialogue, answers the question with a question. His asks this young man what his understanding of law is. Jesus applauds the young lawyers answer of loving God and loving his neighbour as himself. Jesus sends him away and tells him that if he does these things (a continual command), then he too will inherit eternal life. The young lawyer meaning to prove himself just and righteous responds with yet another question…Who is my neighbour?

Jesus then tells the familiar story of the Good Samaritan; a Jewish man beaten by thieves, ignored by a Priest and Levite and eventually helped by a Samaritan. The Samaritan pours his own resource and time into this situation of a half dead Jew, takes him to a doctor and pays all his medical fees. Jesus finishes the parable with this question. Who is the Jewish mans neighbour?? The young lawyer answers correctly again and says the one who showed mercy. Jesus for the final time sends him away with the command to go and do likewise.

Of course an important thing to highlight is that the neighbour of the Jewish man in this story was a Samaritan man, whom as we know were not supposed to socialise with each other, let alone help each other. Yet Jesus specifically uses this example to highlight His radical teachings on comfortableness. Jesus’ audience would most probably have been Jew’s and this teaching would have been highly controversial. Yet Jesus is indicating that in order to love your neighbour you sometimes have to step outside the boundaries of your own comfort. Notice the two who walked by the injured Jewish man were supposed to be the ones who should have, in a heartbeat helped him. You could understand if the Levite and Priest walked passed a Samaritan injured on the floor yet Jesus highlights that it was the Samaritan man who helped the Jew. Prejudices and cultural boundaries and turned upside down here. Jesus challenges the young lawyer to not only love God, but to put God’s love into practice with those who he would not usually socialise or interact with. In other words Jesus is saying that he should not only love his own but love outside his comfort zone. And in turn by doing this he will gain eternal life (and of course with loving God as number one priority).

It is much the same in our modern Western world. We are so quick to help people of our own social standing or those within our comfort zones, but we too are challenged to break through our comfort boundaries and reach out to those we might not usually speak to or socialise with. This is an outworking of Christ in us. Even in a church context we sometimes only sit with people we know or like but imagine what a picture it would send out to the world if we would challenge ourselves to put love into practice with those we are not ‘socially’ supposed to speak to. Jesus’ challenge remains for us today. Love your neighbour (everyone) as yourself knowing we are loved much by God.

“Faith without works is dead” James 2:17