The Good Samaritan

Day 96

OT Reading: Judges 18-19

NT Reading: Luke 10:25-42

The hero in Jesus' story was an unlikely one. Most people groups were just looked at as "impure Gentiles." The Samaritans however had the honorable distinction of being considered half-breeds. The Samaritans and Jews actually shared a common history (we'll see this as we continue through the Old Testament), but while the Jews kept their pure blood lines, the Samaritans mixed and were therefore considered vile. In fact, even though it added a tremendous amount of time to the journey, Jews would often go around Samaria when traveling from Judea to Galilee (see this map if you need help visualizing). Jews detested Samaritans. So when the Samaritan turns into the hero...this would have rubbed some people the complete wrong way.

And that was exactly the point. The "expert in the law" wanted to clarify (like a good lawyer) exactly where the line was when considering who was a "neighbor." Jesus in his response went against societal norms to say that your neighbor is not the person next door, or someone who has the same skin color, speaks the same language, wears the same style of clothes, comes from the same end of town or votes the same way you do. Your neighbor is anyone you see who is in need.

The expert in the law got the message. But more importantly, have you?