PARABLE of the GOOD SAMARITAN

JESUS, SAID  #2

It seems unbelievable!

Not that it is untrue, but that Jesus’ ancient story is still in print, that this title is firmly part of our vocabulary, and at home in the law books of our states,

Jesus did not call the man good, but the word has been used here from its first telling.

Luke 10:25/37 New English Bible, Printed below

On one occasion a lawyer came forward to put this test question to him: “ Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

Jesus said, “What is written in the Law? What is you’re reading of It?”  He replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neig5hbor as yourself.  “ That s the right answer, said Jesus;” do that and you shall live.

 So he said (But he wanted to vindicate himself,) so he said to Jesus,” And who is my neighbor?’ Jesus replied,”

(The Story follows here)

A man was on his way from Jerusalem down to Jericho when he fell in with robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went off leaving him half dead.  It so happened that a priest was going down by the same road; but when he saw him. He went past on the other side.

So too a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him went past on the other side.  But a Samaritan who was making the journey came upon him, and when he saw him was moved to pity. He went up bandaged his wounds, bathing them with oil and wine.  Then he lifted him on to his own beast, brought him to an inn, and looked after him there.  Next day he produced two silver pieces and gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Look after him: and if you spend any, more, I will repay you on my way back.”

Which of these three do you think was neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?”  He answered,”The one who showed him kindness,” Jesus said,  “Go and do as he did.”

Epilogue

This classic parable and its teaching application are understood the world around and throughout time, but some words have taken on cultural changes. In this instance, the word Samaritan, and because of Jesus’ story.

Today- 2009, SAMARITAN, for legal purposes, is one who renders aid, in an emergency. To an injured person on a voluntary basis.

The meaning of Samaritan as Jesus spoke it was very prejudicial. This person was of mixed blood and religion.  These were people left behind during the Babylonian captivity.  Tho’ once Jews, they were collaborators with the enemy.  They inter-married and shared in their pagan religious practices.  Samaritans were to be avoided like a plague.

In a word, there was no such a thing as a GOOD Samaritan. (This purposeful, miss-casting adds a dramatic tension to Jesus’ story.)

We also. Understand that Jewish law forbid the touching of blood or dead bodies.  The priest would have become “unclean” by aiding any injured victim.  Nor then, could he have worshipped in Jerusalem when he got there.

These remarks were things understood by those hearing the parable when first told.

We mention them here, not to understand the parable, but to help to understand the people.

Note: Olive Oil and Grape wine were used as Home First Aid; Wine used as a wound disinfectant.  Oil used, as a healing Balm.

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