Luke 10:29 But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” (NIV)
I have read this section of scripture many times, but today I was struck by the fact that this lawyer wanted to justify himself. What, exactly, was he trying to justify? So I asked Google, which led me to a fascinating article on this passage written by a professor of Emory’s Chandler School of Theology. According to this professor, the lawyer wanted to justify that what he was doing—how he was acting, who he was helping—was enough. He wanted Jesus’s answer to allow him to pat himself on the back for living as his religion instructed. Instead, Jesus tells him the Parable of the Good Samaritan.
Luke 10:29 The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” (NLT)
The part of the explanation that has gripped me this morning lies in the fact that, according to this professor, Jesus wants the lawyer to see himself as the victim in the parable. I’ve always listened to the parable as an observer. Jesus wants the lawyer—and us—to see ourselves as the victim, face down in the ditch, passed by by those who should have helped, shown mercy by one who has every reason not to help. Think about lying beaten, face down in that ditch. Think about the most “undesirable,” “untouchable” person you can muster, one whom you would cross the street to avoid. In your time of need, that undesirable person, whom you would have avoided at all costs, is the only person who reached out, ministered to you, tended your wounds. That’s mercy. That’s grace. That’s love. That is how we are commanded to act.
Luke 10:36-37a Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.”
Lord, Thank You for this day and for this scripture and commentary. The lawyer came to You seeking justification, a pat on the back. He walked away with renewed humility, a deepened understanding of mercy. I, too, walk away from this scripture with renewed humility, a deepened understanding of mercy. Help me to show Your humility and mercy to all those I meet. Draw me always closer. Amen.
Luke 10:37b Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
Have a blessed day.
My faith, my life, my teaching–it's all a work in progress.