The story is recounted in Luke 10, Matthew 22, and Mark 12, and is discussed in a number of ways in other parts of the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures; Jesus is confronted by a curious lawyer (in Luke) and asked what it takes to go to heaven, which is not an unusual thing for one pious person to ask another. Jesus turns it back on him and asks what he thinks. The lawyer responds with the Shema from Deuteronomy 6; “You shall 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.” Jesus gives the lawyer an atta-boy, but the lawyer goes deeper in Luke by asking who his neighbor is. That verse says that he is trying to justify himself; I think he is doing what a well-read, pious lawyer in that time would do – he wants to go deeper. And, maybe, he wants to see if Jesus is for real, which is not a wrong thing to do.
Jesus then tells one of His most famous and intriguing stories about the Samaritan who did what a Levite and a priest would not – he helps the stranger bleeding by the side of the road. The Samaritan – “Good” is an adjective Bible interpreters put on this story, by the way – takes a big risk and puts out a good deal of money to do this random act of kindness. This story is, to be honest, a slap at devout, overly holy Jews in the crowd, because Samaritans weren’t seen as truly Jewish, and were often dismissed and disrespected. I think Jesus is telling the lawyer and the crowd that the person you show disdain towards – the person you hate or dislike – the person who you think is not as good as you are – is your neighbor. Not just your buddy next door or your relative down the street, but the person who can’t get into your gated community or who would feel uncomfortable in your worship.
The extension to love people we think are unlovable goes to enemies, aliens in our country, and everyone else. That guy with the funny turban? Neighbor. That transwoman walking down the street? Neighbor. That gay couple or Hasidic Jew or MAGA hat wearing person in the supermarket? Yes – all neighbors. So, why are we still asking the question? Why are we always looking for loopholes? Every time I see a follower of Jesus publicly wish death on President Trump, I cringe; he is our neighbor, no matter how much you or I might disagree with him. Every time I see someone rejoice at Charlie Kirk’s death, or spout antisemitic rhetoric, or say that a Mainline pastor running for office isn’t a real Christian, I remind myself that Jesus already answered this question. We are all each other’s neighbors. We don’t have to agree or go to parties with each other, but if we are followers of Jesus, we have to treat each other like the Samaritan treated the bleeding, dying man on the road. If we don’t – if we reject them – we reject Jesus. And if we reject Jesus, it is quite possible that we will end up like the goats in Matthew 25. Look it up – it ain’t pretty. I’d rather be with the sheep who treat the least among us as if they were the best. Because they are.
Prayer – Merciful God, restrain our inclinations to judge and demonize, and allow us to be critical without condemnation. Amen.
Today’s art is “The Good Samaritan” by Dinah Roe Kendall.