Discussion Topic
Why was the Samaritan the good guy?
Posted on 10/16/08, 12:31 pm
I love teaching this parable. Even the youngest children get it. The Samaritan was the one that was acting like a Christian and it all works out well in the end. One question doesn't come up as a rule: Why was it so surprising to Jesus' Jewish audience that the Samaritan was the good guy?
The text is taken from Luke Chapter 10 Chapter 29-37
29) A man wanted to justify his actions so he asked Jesus. "And who is my neighbor?"
30) Jesus replied with an illustration. "A Jewish man was traveling on a trip from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes and money, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.
31) By chance a Jewish priest came alon but when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road andpassed him by.
32) A Templ assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.
33) Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt deep pity.
34) Kneeling beside him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with medicine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him
35) The next day he handed the innkeeper two pieces of silver and told him to take care of the man. "If his bill runs higher than tha," he said,"I'll pay the difference the next time I am here."
36) Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?" Jesus asked.
37) The man replied, "The one who showed him mercy."
Then Jesus said, "yes, now go and do the same."
The first man who passed him by was the Jewish equivalent of a preacher of a large church, well versed in the word of God. He should have known better, and stopped to help.
The second man worked in the temple and was exposed to the word and teachings of his faith. He should have known better too.
The Samaritan Is described as "Despised". The Jews really hated the Samaritans because though they believed in God, they did not worship him in the temple. They had been a member of the lost tribes in the Old Testament and though they clung to the basics of their faith, they worshipped God on the Mountain top, like the pagans.
The victim in this story was also a Jew. Jews and Samaritans did not get along. Yet the Samaritan overcame all of the old hatreds and prejudices and helped his Jewish neighbor.
There are many people in this world who get great joy out of feeling superior to someone because they maybe don't have as much money, don't worship in the same way, have physical or mental disabilities... The list is endless. How can we act more like a Samaritan who truly was acting like a Christian? Christian's weren't really "invented" until after Jesus' resurection.
Lord may you give us the heart of servants so that we can do your work on this earth Amen
The text is taken from Luke Chapter 10 Chapter 29-37
29) A man wanted to justify his actions so he asked Jesus. "And who is my neighbor?"
30) Jesus replied with an illustration. "A Jewish man was traveling on a trip from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes and money, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.
31) By chance a Jewish priest came alon but when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road andpassed him by.
32) A Templ assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.
33) Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt deep pity.
34) Kneeling beside him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with medicine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him
35) The next day he handed the innkeeper two pieces of silver and told him to take care of the man. "If his bill runs higher than tha," he said,"I'll pay the difference the next time I am here."
36) Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?" Jesus asked.
37) The man replied, "The one who showed him mercy."
Then Jesus said, "yes, now go and do the same."
The first man who passed him by was the Jewish equivalent of a preacher of a large church, well versed in the word of God. He should have known better, and stopped to help.
The second man worked in the temple and was exposed to the word and teachings of his faith. He should have known better too.
The Samaritan Is described as "Despised". The Jews really hated the Samaritans because though they believed in God, they did not worship him in the temple. They had been a member of the lost tribes in the Old Testament and though they clung to the basics of their faith, they worshipped God on the Mountain top, like the pagans.
The victim in this story was also a Jew. Jews and Samaritans did not get along. Yet the Samaritan overcame all of the old hatreds and prejudices and helped his Jewish neighbor.
There are many people in this world who get great joy out of feeling superior to someone because they maybe don't have as much money, don't worship in the same way, have physical or mental disabilities... The list is endless. How can we act more like a Samaritan who truly was acting like a Christian? Christian's weren't really "invented" until after Jesus' resurection.
Lord may you give us the heart of servants so that we can do your work on this earth Amen
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Reply #1 10/18/08 12:54am
amen sister!!! -
Reply #2 10/18/08 11:14pm
This story in the Bible just goes to prove that He uses those we would never think could be or should be used to do His work! There is no one who is so far down in the pits that He won't use in His work. I thank Him especially for that for I am not worthy that He should use me. -
Reply #3 11/11/08 1:23pm
I'm thankful He can use every single on of us. We just have to be open and willing to serve Him and others no matter who they are or where they come from and just show them God's love even without telling them about God. Some can just see it by the amazing love God has put in us. -
Reply #4 12/29/08 10:40am
Remember the question Cain asked? Am I my brothers keeper? -
Reply #5 12/29/08 11:04am
We all are -
Reply #6 12/29/08 11:15am
Amen to that Diane! We need to look out for one another in a love that shows in actions not just words! -
Reply #7 01/01/09 11:18am
I agree. We may have different personalities. We do not all do things the same way. But we all love the LORD! If the church (a group of sinners who know they need Grace) are fighting with each other. The world and it's king Satan wins! That is happing now, isn't it? We need to put away the issues and go forward to the glory of GOD!! Yesterday was the time. Put away childish things. Most of us are> -
Reply #8 01/01/09 1:24pm
I agree Paul, there is so much disagreement over minor religious differences and/or personalities in the Body of Christ that this hurts the overall message of Love as is taught in the Bible. This is why we work very hard to keep this site one that doesn't focus on these differences but focuses on the basic truths of the Word of God.
There are those who have come here with dogmatic ideologies looking to be disruptive and disagreeable and became a threat to this ministry's purpose. Once these people realize they can't disrupt this site, they usually leave on their own. But if they should decide to stay and cause problems, though it would hurt me deeply to do so, for the sake of unity they would be banned from this site. BUT just like in the real world where we have many church denominations because these minor religious points were stressed as major, here on DS anyone is free to start their own Christian site with their own beliefs.
DS is such a such a huge open field ready for harvest, that there is room for as many Christian sites as there are Christian people! Therefore, each new site that is started can attract a different type of personality and this can only be a good thing for the Kingdom of Heaven for more Christian sites to be here on DS.
When Jesus comes again, He is coming for The Church, that is the church collective. He will take true believers from all the different churches that have that one thing in common, a real relationship with Him and they will become His Bride. There will be those from all the Christian denominations that make up The Church collective and won't that be a wonderful thing!
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Reply #9 01/01/09 3:02pm
So true my friend. The Samaritan was the one who crossed over to help when no one else would. As the fighting should NOT be between belivers but against those who fight against GOD. Recall the battle is NOT against flesh and blood! We are brothers and sisters together. My kids fought and still do. But one day there will be no more. I can not wait. The bible preaches reconsiliation. (no spell checker) I want and long for that. I will be willing to work with any one agaainst those who would no be counted in the army of GOD! Lets work with not against. -
Reply #10 01/01/09 3:08pm
It's interesting to note the similarities of that story to what is going on today. Some Christians would be like the Jewish priest and the Temple assistant. These Christians typically are not inclined to help and go about their everyday lives. Those Christians who do help are usually the ones who are the least noticable and sadly, many times do not "fit in" with some churches.
As this passage indicates, God often uses those that are least expected to be used. All of us should realize that God can and will use anybody to accomplish His purposes. The story Jesus told has a powerful point that each of us need to realize.
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