The Servant Messiah 17
Who Is My Neighbor? - Luke 10:25-37
A Scribe asks Messiah a question:"What shall I do to inherit eternal life." Messiah returned the question: "What do you read in the book?" The Scribe had studied the law and it was his responsibilty to tell the people what was legal. He knows the book and recites the answer: " thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all they mind, with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength. And thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." The Scribe want further definition:"But who is my neighbor.?"
Messiah did not give up on trying to change the Scribes and Pharisees. Someday they may understand and become ardent followers. One of them did see the light. A Pharisee of the Pharisees by the name of Paul. Messiah brings forth one of his most stirring parables to open the Scribe’s heart and understanding.
A certain man was journeying from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell among thieves who robbed, beat him, and stripped him of his raiment leaving him half dead. The Scribe can identify with this man who is the victim of those who ignore the law. The priest and the Levite represent the religion of the day. They look at the deplorable situation but have no feeling of responsibility to do anything to help. The Scribe respects these leaders of the faith. They are honored and esteemed but neither of them appears to love his neighbor. It is hoped that the Scribe will see this deficiency in his religion.
The parable continues: "A certain Samaritan came that way." There were strong negative feelings between the Jews and Samaritans. The Samaritans had intermaried with their oppressors in years past and their descendants were gradually rejected to the point that they banded together in their own section of the country. The Samaritan was moved by the plight of the beaten Jew in the ditch. He went into action treating his wounds and refreshing him with food and drink. Even further he put him on his own beast, taking him to an Inn to be cared for. Since the robbed victim had no money, the Samaritan promised to pay his bill. Did the Scribe feel this situation? Which of these loved his neighbor? Messiah’s compassion for the Scribe hoped that this parablle would touch him.
A Scribe asks Messiah a question:"What shall I do to inherit eternal life." Messiah returned the question: "What do you read in the book?" The Scribe had studied the law and it was his responsibilty to tell the people what was legal. He knows the book and recites the answer: " thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all they mind, with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength. And thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." The Scribe want further definition:"But who is my neighbor.?"
Messiah did not give up on trying to change the Scribes and Pharisees. Someday they may understand and become ardent followers. One of them did see the light. A Pharisee of the Pharisees by the name of Paul. Messiah brings forth one of his most stirring parables to open the Scribe’s heart and understanding.
A certain man was journeying from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell among thieves who robbed, beat him, and stripped him of his raiment leaving him half dead. The Scribe can identify with this man who is the victim of those who ignore the law. The priest and the Levite represent the religion of the day. They look at the deplorable situation but have no feeling of responsibility to do anything to help. The Scribe respects these leaders of the faith. They are honored and esteemed but neither of them appears to love his neighbor. It is hoped that the Scribe will see this deficiency in his religion.
The parable continues: "A certain Samaritan came that way." There were strong negative feelings between the Jews and Samaritans. The Samaritans had intermaried with their oppressors in years past and their descendants were gradually rejected to the point that they banded together in their own section of the country. The Samaritan was moved by the plight of the beaten Jew in the ditch. He went into action treating his wounds and refreshing him with food and drink. Even further he put him on his own beast, taking him to an Inn to be cared for. Since the robbed victim had no money, the Samaritan promised to pay his bill. Did the Scribe feel this situation? Which of these loved his neighbor? Messiah’s compassion for the Scribe hoped that this parablle would touch him.
posted by Dr. James F. Hubbard at 3:48 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home