“Go and do likewise”

Read Luke 10:29-37

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The journey to Jerusalem had begun with a reminder of the mutual disdain between Samaritans and Jews which Jesus did not share (9:52-56). Now, in this well-known parable, he makes clear that such racial prejudice is both wrong and misplaced, for it’s the Samaritan – not the two Jewish religious leaders – who behaves as a good neighbour should (30-35).

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The question, “Who is my neighbour?” (29) is answered in a way that was intended both to shock the listeners out of their hatred and to instruct them about what love looks like in practice. A Samaritan was the last person they would have expected to come to the rescue. Parables usually have one main point (the story details are not allegorical) and the main point here is that it’s the Samaritan who demonstrated love “with actions” (1 Jn.3:18).

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So our neighbour is anyone in need, whoever they might be and however much helping them goes against the grain (Lk.6:27-29). But more particularly still, WE are neighbours TO THEM (36), and therefore need to show “mercy” to them in acts of practical service and kindness (37; 6:36), just as we would want people to do to us (6:31). This is the “royal law” of God’s kingdom (Jas.2:8).