Sunday 15C, Proper 10C. Gospel

Introduction
The parable of the Good Samaritan is the fifth episode in a group of six dealing with the meaning and acceptance of the kingdom's message, 9:51-10:42. The long awaited kingdom of God has dawned in the person of Jesus. God, in his kindness has freely offered entry into the kingdom; we need only ask Jesus. This offer from God is proclaimed for all to hear, 10:1-20, and those who believe are blessed, 10:21-24. Yet beware, kingdom membership is neither gained, nor maintained, by obedience to the law, 10:25-37. Our passage for study exposes the heresy of nomism that had infested second temple Judaism. Religious Jews of the day believed that by obedience to the law they were able to maintain their standing before God and thus guarantee their place in heaven. Of course, the law itself proclaims the opposite in that the law's prime purpose is to expose sin. The law serves to expose human corruption and its consequence, namely, divine judgment, and thus drive us to God for mercy. The "expert in the law" was obviously dulled to this function of the law, since he saw himself as a good law-keeper, although he did have a minor theological concern that he felt Jesus may be able to help him with. Yet, this religious Jew did not need a legal definition for "neighbour", he needed to act in a neighbourly way (with mercy, love) to inherit eternal life. The problem was he had never loved as the Samaritan loved, nor could he. In the parable of the Good Samaritan Jesus confronts the "expert in the law" with full weight of the law and thus leaves him without excuse. It is from such gospel stories that the apostle Paul builds his doctrine of justification, "my gospel" - the divine gift righteousness, of right standing before God, neither gained, nor maintained, by obedience the law, but as a gift of grace appropriated through faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

The passage
v25. "An expert in the law" asks how to gain "eternal life". He is a theologian, and wants to engage with Jesus on the mother of all issues.
v26. Jesus asks him for the answer from the scriptures.
v27. The theologian sees the answer in keeping the law.
v28. Jesus agrees, as long as he can keep it. ie. "Do this and you will live" - keep the law and your standing in the kingdom is guaranteed.
v29. The theologian, wanting to claim a righteous-standing in the sight of God on the basis of his behaviour ("justify himself"), raises the thorny issue of "who is my neighbour?" He just wants to confirm the details, especially as he thinks that entry into the kingdom depends on it. Of course, it is the wrong question.
v30-35. Jesus tells the story of a Jew attacked by thieves. The religious Jews fail to show mercy, probably for good religious reasons (prohibited from touching a corpse). Yet, the Samaritan shows mercy to the hated Jew.
v36. Jesus asks who is neighbourly, ie. who acts with love, with mercy? Of course, this is the right question.
v37. The theologian rightly identifies the neighborliness of the Samaritan. The difficulty lies with Jesus' request, "go and do likewise." The trouble is, the theologian could never do likewise. This being the case, righteousness cannot be earned through obedience to the law, and therefore entry into the kingdom of heaven is denied those who rest on self-righteousness. Thankfully, the gospel reminds us that although righteousness cannot be earned, it can be given, when God does the giving through Jesus.

Be a Good Sam
I had a Bible picture book when I was young. I think it belonged to my mother. It had no covers. The usual crayon scribbling could be found on a number of the pages. I'm not sure whether this was my mother's doing or mine. Probably both of us.
I can still remember the classic picture of the Samaritan bending over the wounded man with the donkey standing beside him. It's a very powerful picture, and one many of us were brought up on. Such powerful images shape culture. Sadly, these are not the images children see today. The secular equivalents leave much to be desired. Still, for my generation, being a "Good Sam", in the terms of Jesus' parable, still has the power to motivate kindness toward others.
The problem we face with this parable is that it has nothing to do with "boy-scout philanthropy"; it has nothing to do with being a "Good Sam". The parable sets out to expose sin. The theologian, in this episode of Luke's gospel, asks how to get to heaven. Jesus tests his understanding of the Bible on the issue, and gets the works answer. As with so many into "merit" religion, the theologian thinks the kingdom can be claimed on the basis of his own personal righteousness. The point of the parable of the Good Samaritan is to expose the worthlessness of his own righteousness. He does not love his neighbour, he does not obey the law, and therefore cannot claim membership of the kingdom.
The truth is, "God can only relate to a person who, having lost self-confidence, 'humbles himself' in repentance", E. Ellis. The good news of God's gracious mercy only applies to those who are broken before him. It is for the "lost", the "last", the "sinner", the "sick". Only in repentance can we find salvation, for righteousness is given, not claimed. To stand right before God and thus enter into his blessings, is "by grace through faith, and is not of works, lest anyone should boast."

Discussion
Consider how you would apply the parable of the Good Samaritan to a junior Bible class.

Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons

Luke