An in-depth exploration of Jesus' Story of the Merciful Samaritan and what that might look like in today's social, political, and cultural economy.
When Jesus mentioned a "Samaritan," the expert in the Law and every other Jew in earshot would've immediately thought: 'Aha, the villain has arrived.' But the one whom the 'orthodox' hated and considered a heretic in the 1st century is the only one of the three to have the love of God and neighbor alive in his heart. Not too different from situations which exist many times today within Christianity.
Who would the Samaritan be this moment; whom would you consider the villain, who is {in your mind} beyond redemption, doctrinally unsound and racially impure? A Methodist orLutheran, Presbyterian or Anglican, Catholic or Orthodox, charismatic or Pentecostal? How 'bout a Muslim or a Jew, a Buddhist or a Hindu? Maybe race is your thing... what if this were a white man, or a black woman, a Chinese or Venezuelan, how 'bout an Iraqi, an Afghani, an Egyptian or Iranian? Not offended yet, what if the Merciful Samaritan were a gay or lesbian, a politician or lobbyist ...{not likely, but we can always dream! Just joking}. If, in fact, it turned out to be someone you despised, and you were the one lying bleeding, naked, and half-dead on the road, would it really matter at that moment, would it keep you from accepting their compassion? If so, what does that say about the level of hatred, homophobia, racism, classism or nationalism that still lives within you?
