Subscription Lists
Point of Reference
by Fred Price
Forty percent of the Gospel of Luke, ten chapters, is concerned with Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem; ending in his death. His frank declaration that he would be rejected, suffer and die at the hands of the authorities there – and rise three days later – hardly aligned with his disciples expectations. To compound their difficulties, he had also insisted that fellowship with him would entail a certain amount of “cross bearing,” while success in life would center on the idea of losing to gain. ( Luke 9:22-25) Their understanding of a Messiah was completely turned upside down, as were their personal plans for the future. ( Mark 9:33-35 & 10:35-45)
The most direct route from Galilee to Jerusalem ran through Samaria, designated the Way of the Patriarchs, but because of the intense animosity between Jews and Samaritans, many took a route that bypassed Samaria through Jordan called the Kings Highway. Jesus chose to confront the Samaritan “problem” head-on.
Along the way his tone seems to change, becoming more abrupt with the religious leaders hounding his steps as well as his own disciples. Time is short, they needed to come to grips with the reality of their situation. His veiled references to his future became more clear, as in his reply to Martha’s complaint about serving dinner with no help from her sister ( Luke 10:38-42), his rather harsh response to a Pharisee at whose house he was dining ( Luke 11:37-52See also Matthew 23:13-33), and his stern rebuke to his disciples for their reaction to opposition in Samaria. ( Luke 9:51-56)
Jesus warned his disciples of the “yeast” of the Pharisees, which he defined as hypocrisy ( Luke 12:1); “…for they do not practice what they preach.” Matthew 23:2,3 A big point of contention being the Pharisees’ insistence that the Sabbath by kept “holy” – by their definition – and Jesus insistence that, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” Mark 2:27 The law did indeed prohibit ordinary work on the Sabbath, which was to be dedicated to reflection and worship, but the law had been expanded to the point where you could only take so many steps away from your home, you couldn’t cook a meal etc. Jesus put people above rules. (See Luke 13:15, Matthew 14:5; Mark 7:13)
New Testament scholar David Garland writes, “Jesus consistently sides with those on the fringe and considered expendable – the least, those who have no rights, those held cheap by others.” Which perfectly describes how Jews and Samaritans felt about one another. In Jesus’ time, Samaria had shrunk from being the northern half of Israel to being a middling territory dividing Galilee and Judea. A Jew going through Samaria did so at his own risk.
Samaritans were hated by Jews for a number of reasons. When Israel split in two, in part because of the foolishness of Rehoboam, they established their own “holy mount” and temple to rival Jerusalem. Samaria and Judah thereafter were enemies or allies depending on the exigencies of politics. When Samaria was conquered and carried away into exile, it was repopulated with pagans who had likewise been subjugated and exiled there; intermarrying with the Jews left behind and creating a renegade, mixed race that at times actively opposed the rebuilding of Jerusalem and its temple when Jewish exiles were allowed to return to Judah.
Jews were hated by Samaritans because they treated them as half-breeds at best; questioning their partriotism, heritage, knowledge and worship. And yet Jesus used a Samaritan as the hero of a parable he told in answer to, “Who is my neighbor?” In responding to an expert of the law who was attempting to “test” him by asking “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”; Jesus answered by asking, ‘What’s in the law and how do you interpret it?’ The man correctly answered by reciting what Jesus had previously described as the essence of the Law – Love God, love your neighbor. The inquisitor, pushing the debate further, then asked, ‘Who is that, who do I really have to love?’ Thuse Jesus’ parable of a man on a journey from Jerusalem to Jericho.
Along the way he was beaten and robbed. A priest and a Levite avoided the body laying beside the road; possibly because they didn’t want to contaminate themselves by coming into contact with a dead body or maybe because they were too busy. (We sometimes yet today are too busy – often doing good things – to do better one’s.) The wounded man was evidently a Jew, but a Samaritan came on the scene and not only checked to make sure he was alive but treated his wounds, loaded him on his donkey and transported him to an inn; where he left instructions and money for the man’s further upkeep! Jesus asking, “Which of these men do you think was a neighbor…? His inquisitor replying, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus instructing, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:25-37
The point wasn’t that Samaritans were just as good as Jews, or that their belief system was as worthy – because it wasn’t – but that anyone needing help should be helped by anyone who recognizes their need. We are all to drop our preconceived notions, prejudices, suspicious, etc. and help the needy… which is the model of a true Christian, seeing people for who they really are – a child of God. Possibly one who is out of touch with that title but someone Jesus died for none-the-less. Sometimes we must respond to people’s needs even when we don’t see their worth or potential, trusting that God can work on them through us to create a miracle of redemption.
Finally, Pharisees asked Jesus when God’s kingdom was coming; as had his disciples. His answer was, not with careful observation or manipulation of the law, as God can’t be cajoled into doing something he doesn’t want to or manipulated into doing something before it’s time. It’s not merely the practice of rules, although some rules are practical and appropriate; nor is the kingdom only a future state, although it will be realized fully in the future. The kingdom is in our midst in the person of Jesus, as we follow his will and example. When we not only pray for God’s will to be done but actively work to see it so.
Rate it:
Fred Price - married (50 years), father of two grown children, grandfather of six.
Fred retired earlier this year after 42 years as a factory worker. He has always had a heart for young people and the challenges they face today. Over the years Fred has taught Discipleship Groups for High School and college students.
Receive the newest devotional each week in your inbox by joining the "Point of Reference" subscription list. Enter your email address below, click "Go!" and we will send you a confirmation email. Follow the instructions in the email to confirm your addition to this list.