Friday 25 May 2012

Background

In Matthew's and Mark's account of this (Matthew22:34-40; Mark 12:28-31) they make it clear that thelawyer who stood up was one of the Jewish leaders. He asked Jesuswith rebellious intent (v. 25), "Teacher, what must I do to inheriteternal life?" Jesus asked him about what the law demands, andimpressed by his reply said (v. 28), "You have given the rightanswer; do this, and you will live." But wanting to justifyhimself, he asked Jesus (v. 29), "And who is my neighbour?" Jesusreplied by telling what is now known as the Parable of the GoodSamaritan.

The confrontation started with core questions of religion: eternallife and then God's law. But Jesus brought down the theologicaldiscussion and placed it in a real social situation. He said, acertain man travelled from Jerusalem to Jericho and he was beatenby robbers who left him half dead on the road side. By chance apriest was going down that road and when he saw the wounded man hepassed by on the other side. So a Levite followed and again when hesaw the man, he passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan as hecame near the place and saw him he was moved with compassion. Hewent to him and bandaged his wounds, then put him on his donkey,took him to an inn and cared for him.

At the end Jesus asked the lawyer (v. 36), "Which of these three,do you think, was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands ofrobbers?" In a way the lawyer refused to say 'the Samaritan' butinstead, replied (v. 37), "The one who showed him mercy." ThenJesus said to him (v. 37), "Go and do likewise." To inherit eternallife is not about giving the right answer. It is about allowingyour neighbour to be seen and saved through your love of God.

Then Jesus visited the house of Martha and Mary. It was a bigoccasion, as it always was when Jesus visited them. Martha was busywith many things, not paying much attention to Jesus and insteaddistracted by many chores. She looked into the living room and sawher sister Mary at the feet of Jesus listening to his stories.Martha was envious and said to Jesus, "Lord, tell [Martha] then tocome and help me." Jesus replied (v. 42], "Martha, you are worriedand distracted about many things ... Mary has chosen the betterpart." Our busy-ness can easily prevent us from attending to thepeople we are suppose to love and care for. We can easily beidentified with the priest and the Levite of the first story andMartha of the second one with our busy schedules and agendas.

To Ponder

What do you need to do in order to make ourneighbour's voice heard and visible?

How many opportunities do you miss to help orsave someone because you're too busy?

Take a few minutes today to respond either to Godor the needs of others, like Mary or the Good Samaritan.