7/03/24 - Luke 10:30-37

  Luke 10: 30-37

Observation:

Jesus tells a parable to a lawyer (expert in the law) who asks, "Who is my neighbor?" Jesus starts off with a man travelling from Jerusalem to Jericho. The man was attached by robbers and left in a vulnerable state, highlighting his dire need for assistance. The priest, a religious figure expected to exhibit compassion, chooses to ignore the wounded man, avoiding him entirely by passing on the opposite side. Similar to the priest, the Levite, another figure associated with religious duties, also chooses to avoid the injured man, demonstrating a lack of compassion. But a Samaritan showed compassion towards the ignored man by going above and beyond to care for him. The Samaritan provided immediate medical attention and ensured the man has a safe place to recover. Also, the Samaritan commits to covering the ongoing costs for the man's recovery.  Jesus turns the question back to the lawyer, prompting him to reflect on the actions of the characters and identify the true neighbor. The lawyer identifies the Samaritan being the true neighbor.

Interpretation:

Jesus is responding to a series of questions from a lawyer. Towards the end of verse 27, Jesus states, "Love your neighbor as yourself." This prompts the lawyer to ask in verse 29, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus starts off with a parable of a man travelling from Jerusalem to Jericho. It's well known that the road from Jerusalem to Jericho was notoriously dangerous, known for bandits and robbers. The man gets attacked and his dire situation underscores the drastic nature of the journey and sets the stage for the need for compassion and aid. It overall symbolizes the vulnerability and helplessness that can occur in life. The priest represents religious authority and moral leadership. The priest's decision to avoid the injured man illustrates a failure of expected moral duty and compassion. This action questions the authenticity of religious devotion without corresponding compassionate actions. The Levite, also a religious figure, similarly avoids the injured man in need. This behavior highlights a broader criticism of religious figures who neglect the core values of their faith, such as mercy and love, in favor of ritual purity or personal convenience. The Samaritan, who was generally despised by Jews during that period of time, is the unexpected hero of the story. His compassion starkly contrasts with the indifference of the priest and Levite. This choice challenges the lawyer including the audience to reconsider their prejudices and the true meaning of being a neighbor. The Samaritan's actions demonstrate practical, hands-on compassion. Bandaging wounds, using oil and wine, and providing transportation and shelter are all acts of mercy that meet the immediate needs of the injured man. This underscores that being a true neighbor involves tangible acts of care. The Samaritan's commitment extends beyond immediate aid to ongoing support. The two denari represent significant financial support, showing his willingness to sacrifice for the well-being of the injured man. This highlights a deep level of generosity and responsibility. Jesus then shifts the question back to the lawyer, prompting self-reflection. By focusing on the actions rather than the identity of the helper, Jesus emphasizes that neighborly love is demonstrated through actions, not status or ethnicity. The lawyer correctly identifies the Samaritan as the true neighbor. Jesus's directive, "Go and do likewise," serves as a call to action, urging believers to practice mercy and compassion actively. This reinforces the idea that genuine faith is expressed through loving action toward others.

Personal Reflection:

I struggle with this passage because early on when I was in my young teens, I indirectly experienced something of this nature. Long-story-short, my father broke into a hallucinating schizophrenic episode, and he immediately went to church strongly believing it was the only safe haven he could go to in his time of trouble. While I wish I could state that the church did what they could to help him out in his time of need; instead, the church rejected him and threatened my father that if he does not leave, they will call the cops on him. After experiencing all of that, I believe it further exacerbated my father's mental condition as he felt betrayed, especially how he was serving that same church. My mother left us four years ago and that made my father feel betrayed, including leading my father down the path of depression. Fast forward four years later with the church kicking my father out, again, that feeling of betrayal made my father's condition worse. Eventually, my father recovered but he never went back to the church. What made it worse was no one from the church reached out and when I went back four years later, the people I went to who I knew my father would consider as his friend, forgotten him. My disdain for Korean churches and Korean people intensified to nuclear proportions. I wanted nothing to do with the Korean community. Being half-Korean, I even hated half of myself, half of the culture I belonged to and half of the family that I came from. I went as far as stating, "I will never, in my lifetime, date nor marry a Korean. You can count on that!" I felt vigorously felt that if the Korean church and people rejected my father, then it only served them right that I rejected them. Looking back, it took years for me to accept and let go of what took place, but I would be lying if I said that it was a simple task. What's funny is that I ended up marrying a Korean girl and I'm surrounded by a Korean community.

My father taught me valuable lessons when it came to showcasing compassion or simply being a good neighbor. He told me when you're helping someone, your heart must be in the right place. God will know whether if you're assistance is genuine or not. If you're looking to show off to others or even want something simple as recognition when helping others, then it's not real compassion. Honestly, I struggle with that from time to time. I want people to recognize me. I want them to take notice of me. But I know deep down, it's not something glorifies God.  

Application:

If I can take anything my dad taught me that I can pass down to my kids, it's showcasing real compassion. Notice in the parable, the Samaritan never told the innkeeper to tell the injured man who helped him out. That's something I want to strive for; being a model neighbor. These days I'm trying to help people out without expecting anything in return. After all, God calls us to be good neighbors. But at the same time, it's hard being a good neighbor. Even when I do something nice for someone, I would get questioned for it like; why did you do it?' or 'what was the point of that?  it's not like that person will pay you back.' People tend to feel obligated to return the favor even if you tell them that you expect nothing in return. And when you tell the party that you helped that you do not want anything then you'll get criticized for being used or taken advantage of. I've noticed that when I help others out, I will experience jealousy, envy and even pride like 'I don't need your help. I never asked for it in the first place.' It's quite discouraging and it can be a huge struggle when there's a lot of negative emotions when it's tying to something simple as lending a helping hand with literally no strings attached. I know that if I'm following God's command, doing things for His glory and being there for those God has put in my life then it doesn't matter what people think as long as God is satisfied with me.