Eighth Sunday in Pentecost (Series C)
July 10th, 2016
Gospel: Luke 10:25-37
Epistle: Colossians 1:1-14
Lesson: Leviticus (18:1-5) 19:9-18
Psalm: Psalm 41
CLB Commentary – Rev. Dale Hanson
This well-known story (Parable) of the Good Samaritan is actually addressing the important issue of eternal life. The account begins with a lawyer (a scholar of the law) who had a keen interest in the law and likely also the Word of God; asking Jesus what one must do to inherit eternal life. Interesting and ironic, he who was a lawyer asks what must be done to inherit eternal life. Being a lawyer he should have known and understood that usually one inherits something because of who you are instead of what you have done.
Jesus, as he often does, answers his question by asking him a question. What is written in the Law? Notice that Jesus begins with the Law. After answering Jesus, the lawyer likely realizes how impossible it is for him to do what the law requires so he tries to get around it by asking Jesus another question, “Who is my neighbor?”
The details of the story clearly show that only Jesus could be such a neighbor. Notice also how Jesus points out that those one would expect to have compassion (the priest and the Levite) just avoid the person in need but the Samaritan (a person who is hated and looked down upon by the Jews) is actual the one who is compassionate. Plus, he goes way beyond the call of duty in caring for the poor man attacked by the robbers.
Jesus then asks the lawyer the final question; which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers? The lawyer had to acknowledge that it was the one who showed him mercy. Jesus then concludes by saying, “You go, and do likewise!”
What is the real point Jesus is making?
Is it that we must do as the Samaritan did in order to inherit eternal life? That is what the natural human heart would come up with. That is the thinking of the religious, self-righteousness person. But that is not the point Jesus is making. Rather, he is confronting the lawyer with the demands of the law to show him how much he is in need of a substitute who indeed can and has loved the Lord God with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength. And that substitute is none other than the Son of God, Jesus Christ, the true Good Samaritan.
Be careful not to use this text as a lesson on morality or the way to earn eternal life. While one can make the point that we who are believers should treat our fellow human beings like the Good Samaritan and that such conduct should be our desire and goal but also always realizing that we fall so short in doing so and only Jesus is the true Good Samaritan.
This text, however, is best used to show the great compassion of God and how he finds and cares for each of us who are left half dead on the road way of life. If Jesus didn’t happen along our way we would be doomed.
Pastors, use this wonderful text to proclaim to your people the good news of Jesus our Good Samaritan who has found us, bound up our wounds, taken us to safety, and has promised to care for us until he comes back again.
Grace and peace – Dale Hanson
Resources: The Lutheran Study Bible