February 16, 2024

Jesus finishes this parable by turning this “expert” in the law upside-down and inside-out. He was totally unprepared for Jesus’ story, and he was flabbergasted by how Jesus used it to show him how far off he was in his thinking.
First of all, notice how the lawyer couldn’t even bring himself to say the word “Samaritan.” When Jesus asked who the true neighbor was to the man attacked by bandits, the lawyer said, “The one who showed him mercy.” His despise for Samaritans wouldn’t even allow him to speak the name. Jesus used the story to point out that sometimes the most unlikely of people will teach you about the heart of God. Making the Samaritan the hero in the story was like a stake in the heart to a man who hated them.
Next, look at how Jesus turned the narrative from answering the question, “Who is my neighbor?” to showing what a good neighbor looks like. Remember, the man already told Jesus he knew what God really wants from us: To love God and love our neighbors. But instead of playing the man’s mind game of who a neighbor is, Jesus shows the man what love is. Because Jesus knew two things the man didn’t. That “neighbor” included EVERYONE, even despised Samaritans. And that love wasn’t just a feeling. It’s meaningful, tangible, sacrificial action on another’s behalf.
Finally, Jesus brought the man back to where they began when He said, “Now go and do the same.” In other words, all the lessons about love and mercy and compassion are of no use whatsoever if you don’t put them into practice. This lawyer, like many religious leaders of his day, had all the theology he needed. He just needed to DO what he KNEW. That’s probably a good word for all of us today. Just do it. That’s God’s Word for you today.