Yesterday I had the pleasure of teaching the parable of the Good Samaritan to a group of teenagers. Yeah, what fun is that – you talk, they stare at you like you are not human.
But despite that I think they heard something, and the main thing I told them, is probably something all of us could be reminded of as well.
Before this parable Jesus has been asked to clarify who a person’s neighbor is. He tells a story that we all know pretty well about a man and his rescuer. He finished the story by with this little exchange:
36“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:36-37
This is really interesting, as if I can paraphrase that last bit, it might be like this:
“Go and have mercy on those who hate you, oh and also have mercy on those that you hate.”
And that’s a pretty amazing way of showing who are neighbor is that we are commanded to show love towards ( with as much love as we show ourselves!!!)
Well, what else can I say, except – Go and Do Likewise!