Won't you be my neighbor?

How many of you remember watching Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood? Regardless of how silly you might think it was, Mr. Roger’s neighborhood was a television successful. It aired for 33 years, made 895 episodes, and next to Sesame Street, was one of the longest running shows in PBS history.

If you’ve seen an episode you might wonder why. There’s no state of the art technology (used hand puppets) or colorful animation. But what made Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood so successful was that it struck a chord with audiences about the importance of being a good neighbor, of caring for others. In fact, the driving question behind the show was, “Would you be mine, could you be mine, won’t you be my neighbor?” Now we laugh, but I submit to you that it is a deeply theological question. It’s a question God wants us to ponder. And it just so happens to be the central question of Luke 12 in the parable of the Good Samaritan.

The parable of the Good Samaritan is probably one of the best known parables in the entire Bible. The very title “Good Samaritan” is synonymous with someone who does good deeds. But I believe most have missed what the parable is about. It’s not a lighthearted story inviting you to be a better person, but a call to be transformed by the Gospel.

A public discussion (Luke 10:25-29)

Jesus is having a conversation with a lawyer. He is a theologian, an expert in the Law of Moses. And he comes to Jesus with a question…“What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Now that’s a great question, one everyone should be asking, namely how can I be right with God? But the way he asks the question reveals what’s wrong with his heart.

i. Wrong Motivation: Luke tells us he wants to trap Jesus. He wants a theological debate; square off against this up and coming Rabbi, he’s not really seeking the right answer. You ever meet people who want the theological proofs; they have these great questions, want to debate all the time. They will never truly believe until they come with right heart.

ii. Wrong Mindset: What can I DO to inherit? He wants a checklist; like the rich young ruler he wants to feel good about himself. Jesus has been receiving people by faith alone and this drives the religious rule-keeper crazy. You see, the point is you can’t DO anything to inherit eternal life.

iii. Jesus turns it back on him, “what is written in the law?” The man answers according to Deut 6 (27) and Jesus (I love this), “Right, now go and do that and you will be right with God.” In other words, you want to do this on your own, go ahead. If you want morality then go live a perfect life and you’ll be fine!!

Rather than repenting, he pushes the issue further, “Well, who is my neighbor?” He wants to know, not who do I have to love, but who do I not have to love. This context is crucial to getting this parable right. The context is morality, clearly defined parameters, etc.

A practical description (Luke 10:30-35)

Jesus tells of a man (Jewish), who was going “down from Jerusalem to Jericho”. Jericho is, after all, 3200 feet below Jerusalem and the road (17 miles) is winding and full of rocks where thieves can hide. The man is beaten and left bleeding and almost dead.

Along comes a priest, who would have been returning from temple worship. Surely he will stop? After all, if you were stranded on the side of the road, who would you rather see, your pastor or a gang member? But he doesn’t stop. People have said it’s because he was scared, but the truth is he couldn’t stop. According to the religious law, he can’t. He’s not allowed to touch a dead body or he would become unclean, have to go back to Jerusalem, through all the cleansing rituals, tell the other priests, and then come back (a 7 day turnaround). It would cost his time, reputation, family, and most of all his religious duty.

Along comes a Levi, whose job was to assist the priests. It is likely since the priest didn’t stop, why should he? Or maybe it’s because he had no resources as they didn’t have a lot of money. Regardless, both men see the suffering man and refuse to get involved and no doubt had good, justifiable reasons why they couldn’t.

Up to this point, while a little shocking, those listening would have been following. But then, Jesus drops a bomb. Three little words, “But a Samaritan.” A Samaritan? You mean our enemies, those half-breed Jews who intermarried with foreign woman, the ones who reject the Torah, the ones who established their own religion, that Samaritan?

"He that eats the bread of the Samaritans is like to one that eats the flesh of swine" (Mishna 8:10).

“How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan woman?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans." (John 4:9)

You see, the phrase “Good Samaritan” to those listening was an oxymoron. Like saying passive aggressive, clearly misunderstood, jumbo shrimp, or Microsoft works! Call them whatever you want, but a Samaritan is anything but good. Yet, the Samaritan sees the man and is “moved with compassion.” Meaning he wasn’t acting out of law, or duty, or increasing his moral status, but his heart! And he puts his life on the line, gets bloody, tears his cloths for bandages, poured out his wine for medicine, and takes the man to a place of rest and pays his medical bills. And all of this for his enemy!

A penetrating discovery (Luke 10:36-37)

Now what happens in verse 36 is remarkable! Jesus has turned the situation upside down. Notice the man’s response. Who came to Jesus? A Jewish man. Who is on the road? A Jewish man. What was the man dealing with? Religious law. What kept the first two travelers from stopping? Religious law. How does this man view Jesus? His enemy. Who comes to help the man on the road? His enemy. In other words, a lawyer comes to Jesus asking about rules and morality and Jesus says I want you to imagine a man bleeding to death, beaten by robbers and left for dead. Imagine a religious man doing his duty walks by but unable to help. Imagine that a man, who he despised, is the only hope for his own rescue and healing. Do you see the man in the road, bloody, helpless, dying? Now imagine he’s you! This story is about a Jewish man in need of life and yet he can’t see that religion/morality can’t save Him and yet the very one he opposes can!

You think you’re supposed to be the Good Samaritan, but you not. You’ll never be the Good Samaritan until you become the man on the road! If you approach this text like the lawyer, “tell me what I supposed to do?” Baking cookies? Give money? You will end up a moralistic dead man! And that’s the very problem with the lawyer has. However, if you see yourself first as the man on the road, dead in sin, can’t get up, and if you see Jesus, though you were his enemy, going beyond the law because He was moved with compassion, let the one who had beaten you, crucify Him, tore his flesh and poured out his blood to forgive you, and took you to a place of rest and paid the full price for your healing! And when that happens, you won’t debate “who is my neighbor” you just go and do likewise!

A personal application

Not “who” but “what”: our neighbor is not a geographic, ethnic category, but what situation God has brought into your life right now whose need you can meet.

Not “why should I” but “how could I not”: the issue is not why should I do this, but how can I not do this. We will never be the church God has called us to be if we depend upon church programs and guilt-ridden sermons to get us to serve.

Not “what does it cost” but “whatever it costs”: Love our enemies, people who are not like us (homosexual community, addictions, etc. We will rally behind the unborn and the elderly because who doesn’t love a baby, but will we rally to show love to the homosexual community, the Islamic communities etc.). Sacrifice time and money (disciples who want convenience will always walk on by), placing yourself in danger (missions), etc.

Not “do” but “receive”: Those who inherit eternal life are those who come to realize God’s love can only be received by faith not earned by works.

Conclusion

Only when we are radically loved will we radically love. Only when you have been transformed by the Good Shepherd can you be a Good Samaritan. Have you? If not, look to the one who gave up everything for your healing and turn from your sin. And if so, then I ask you, would you be, could you be, how can you not be…a neighbor.