Good Neighbor

Good Neighbor

Scripture Lessons

Leviticus 18:1-5, 19:9-18

Psalm 41:1-13

Colossians 1:1-14

Luke 10:25-37

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

There are various interpretations of the parable of the Good Samaritan. For one thing, the text doesn’t use the term “parable.” Nevertheless, we have applied the term since it is a story intended to convey a principle. But the understanding of that principle varies.

“A lawyer stood up to put [Jesus] to the test.” The purpose of this question was not sincere inquiry but testing of Jesus. “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” The question was framed legalistically. In other words, “if I am to be saved by my works, what are the things I must do to be saved?” He asked a legal question and Jesus pointed him back to the law, but notice that Jesus did not answer the question. He called for the man to answer his own question. Jesus said, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” The lawyer responded, confirming his knowledge of the law and its demands. “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 neighbor as yourself.” In this response, the lawyer confirmed that he did understand accurately the demands of the law. The Torah commands love of God and neighbor. But is that all that the Torah does? Is it merely a command to do the work of love?

As the lawyer continued, he revealed his thoroughly legalistic view of the Torah. When Jesus responded, “do this and you will live,” the man sought to “justify himself,” and so he asked, “and who is my neighbor?” It’s as though he were saying, “the law must define my neighbor so that I know who it is that I am to love. I can’t be blamed for not loving my neighbor when the law doesn’t make that clear. After all, Gentile dogs aren’t my neighbor, are they?”

In Jesus’ ministry to this point, He has demonstrated His love for all people, including Gentiles and sinners, tax collectors and Pharisees. Jesus was demonstrating God’s compassion and mercy to all people through His work of ministering, healing, feeding, and so forth.

So, the question of “who is my neighbor,” ought to be clear, it is anyone that God has put in your path that requires your service. The Levitical law made clear that God’s mercy and compassion was to be shown toward those within the covenant community of Israel, as well as for the sojourners who were among them.

The lawyer seemed to express confusion over who may be considered his neighbor. Actually, he was confused about the nature of the Torah, the Law. He looked at the law as a means to justify. It is not. The law is a means to condemn. The primary use of the law is that of the mirror, to show you your condition before God Almighty. As you look at yourself through the mirror of God’s law, you will see that you do not love your neighbor as yourself. That’s the point of the law, that is the death of our pride and any pretense of self-justification.

So, did Jesus tell the parable of the good Samaritan in order to explain who your neighbor is? That would be one interpretation. In this interpretation, we would see the similarity between the man who was beaten and Jesus who was beaten. We would see the good Samaritan coming to the aid of the man and consider how certain people, including Gentiles expressed faith in Jesus. Finally, we would reflect that if we show love toward our neighbor as we live out our daily lives, we would be showing love toward Christ Himself. Recall the final judgment that is to come and the words of Christ, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” With such an interpretation, this passage is a doubling-down on the law and bringing the law to bear heavily upon us. Was that Jesus’ intent? Although this is one view, I submit to you that it is quite incorrect. Certainly, God commands us to love. But genuine love is not borne of the law, it is borne of the Gospel. If I serve you because I fear God, I am not showing you love, but duty to God. However, if I serve you because God has served me and given me love through the Gospel, then that is genuine love.

Rather than consider the man who was beaten to be a Christ-figure, consider instead that the Good Samaritan is the Christ figure. The Good Samaritan came to the half-dead man and “had compassion.” Compassion is one of the defining qualities of Christ Jesus. “He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine.” You meanwhile are wounded by your own sin, alienated from God because of your sin. But Christ has bound up your wounds through His shed blood. Oil and wine were used for treating wounds, to clean and disinfect. They were also used for anointing and ceremonial washing. “Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’” This generous care for a stranger is a picture of Christ Himself as He loves and cares for you.

So, we have here two Christological interpretations, one in which Christ is the beaten man and you are called to be a good Samaritan. The other in which you are the half-dead, beaten man, and Christ comes to you as the Good Samaritan. Which is correct? Perhaps, just as Christ put this parable to the lawyer to cause him to reflect and ponder, this parable also is put to you to reflect and ponder. Could both interpretations be correct? Certainly, God calls you to love and serve your neighbor. And certainly, God in Christ has bound up your wounds and left you with the promise of His return to settle all your debts.

Is it possible that God commands our obedience to the law while also making atonement for our failure to meet that demand? What could you say of such a God? He is gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. He is compassionate. Thanks be to God.

The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.