Most of us are familiar with the parable of the good Samaritan. In fact, this parable has been secularized so much so that even English-speaking non-Christians would know the meaning of a good Samaritan. I have heard of this term being used to describe kind-hearted, good people when I was still in primary school, not yet a Christian then.
So what does being a good Samaritan mean to us, the bible-reading and Christ-following disciples?
My first interpretation of the parable in Luke 10:25-37 is from the perspective of the person learning to love. The expert in the law was trying to test Jesus and subsequently justify himself when he asked, "And who is my neighbour?" (Luke 10:29) Similarly, we can ask the same questions, "And who is our neighbour?"
At first glance, the parable seems to tell us that our neighbour are those who helped us, i.e. the good Samaritan. The priest and the Levite certainly do not qualify. So when we love, we love the "good Samaritans" in our lives, or as today's Daily Bread puts it, those who are worthy of our love. The "priests and Levites" in our lives? Well, we don't have to love them, do we?
But if we are to be Christ-like, imitating Christ in His thoughts and actions, then have we been the "good Samaritans" whom are worthy of His love? Personally for me, my answer is a downright no.
Hence from a different perspective, the parable could be teaching us on how to be a loving neighbour. We are to be the "good Samaritans", not looking for the "good Samaritans". The Samaritan showed love towards the victim of robbery, despite the discord between the Samaritans and Jews.
It is not a difficult task to show love to those who love us, those who care for us, or those whom we are comfortable with. The challenge is to love those whom we disagree with, those who have caused some misery to our lives or even those whom we hardly know.
So what does being a good Samaritan mean to us, the bible-reading and Christ-following disciples?
My first interpretation of the parable in Luke 10:25-37 is from the perspective of the person learning to love. The expert in the law was trying to test Jesus and subsequently justify himself when he asked, "And who is my neighbour?" (Luke 10:29) Similarly, we can ask the same questions, "And who is our neighbour?"
At first glance, the parable seems to tell us that our neighbour are those who helped us, i.e. the good Samaritan. The priest and the Levite certainly do not qualify. So when we love, we love the "good Samaritans" in our lives, or as today's Daily Bread puts it, those who are worthy of our love. The "priests and Levites" in our lives? Well, we don't have to love them, do we?
But if we are to be Christ-like, imitating Christ in His thoughts and actions, then have we been the "good Samaritans" whom are worthy of His love? Personally for me, my answer is a downright no.
Hence from a different perspective, the parable could be teaching us on how to be a loving neighbour. We are to be the "good Samaritans", not looking for the "good Samaritans". The Samaritan showed love towards the victim of robbery, despite the discord between the Samaritans and Jews.
It is not a difficult task to show love to those who love us, those who care for us, or those whom we are comfortable with. The challenge is to love those whom we disagree with, those who have caused some misery to our lives or even those whom we hardly know.
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