Who Is My Neighbor?
Posted by Chris on March 28, 2010 under Sermons
Parables – part 1
- Jesus used parables
- Stories that communicate truth
- More engaging and compelling than simple propositions and facts.
- Facts can be debated. Stories thrust us into reality of the kingdom.
- The Parable of the Good Samaritan
- Lawyer testing Jesus
- The question of eternal life
- Deuteronomy 6:5, Leviticus 19:18 – Jesus agrees.
- “But who is my neighbor?”
- Expecting an exposition, the lawyer get a story
- The Story:
- The Traveler (Jerusalem to Jericho)
- He is ambushed, beaten, stabbed, and robbed.
- “He will die if someone does not arrive and help him.”
- The Priest:
- “Disregard for God’s commands led him to this fate.”
- “He will die if someone does not arrive and help him.”
- The Levite:
- On his way to do service in the Temple
- Levite forbidden to touch a dead body
- “Surely the man is dead.”
- “He will die if someone does not arrive and help him.”
- The Samaritan:
- The Hero. Who is it? What will he do? Anticipation!
- Shock – “It’s a Samaritan!”
- Show historical examples of the hostility between Samaritans and Jews.
- Why does Jesus use a hero that the hearers will not associate with?
- He is calling out their prejudices and showing them that love is about mercy and compassion, not the definition of neighbor.
- Hosea 6:6 – What does the Lord require?
- No penalty for killing a Samaritan. Stiff penalty for associating with one
- This is the Hero of Jesus’ story
- He stops, makes bandages from his own garments, oil and wine (his provisions for his journey), takes him to an inn where he is very likely unwelcome, pays the bill and more.
- “Which of these three became a neighbor?”
- Does Jesus answer the question? (No) He invalidates the question.
- When it comes to love, one does not choose one’s neighbor, one chooses to be a neighbor.
- Christ-like love does not ask “Who is my neighbor?” Rather, it is active. (“Go and do the same.”)
- The Traveler (Jerusalem to Jericho)
- Lawyer testing Jesus