The Good Samaritan

Sabbath Evening Chat

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On Friday evening, February 17th, Blow the Trumpet hosted a special Chatroom discussion on one of Jesus' most famous parables, "The Good Samaritan." This teaching is so widely recognized that even in the secular world, people who perform acts of kindness are often referred to as "good Samaritans." But was Jesus teaching more than the value of dealing kindly with people? Is there a profound truth that many in God's Church are tragically missing in this rich lesson?

What follows is an explanation of this extraordinary parable and how it applies to God’s end time Church. As you read it ask yourself how God sees you. Are you truly a good Samaritan? Our explanation begins with a true story. It is called…

“A Tale of Two Brothers”

Several years ago two young men were moved to study God’s word and discover for themselves the plain truth about the scriptures. Their journey would eventually take them to Ambassador College when it was in its infant stages. Each of these young men was personally taught by Mr. Herbert Armstrong and they learned their lessons well. Both were pioneers during the Philadelphian era of the Church. And although the demands on them were great, each relished the challenge. As they grew in God’s service their careers held striking similarities.

• Both would pastor congregations
• Both would become evangelists
• Both would become prolific writers for various church publications
• Both would become faculty members of Ambassador College
• Both would teach a class called “The Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ”
• Both would serve on the council of elders under Mr. Armstrong
• Both would become chancellors of an Ambassador College campus.
• Both wouls come to recognize the apostasy brought into the church by Mr. Armstrong’s successors
• Both left the apostasy and worked together to sustain God’s truth

However, the lives of these two twentieth century champions of faith were connected by more than their calling. Their talents cried out to be used in similar ways. Additionally, the challenge that drove them made these men relentless in a quest to finish the work they were given. Each of them proclaimed God’s word in season and out of season. Their devotion to the truth was undeniable. They were men of passion and were truly brothers in every sense that mattered--until the unthinkable happened.

The Death of Friendship

During the late 90s a dispute broke out involving these dear spiritual brothers. Tragically, this wasn't just a simple disagreement between friends. With each passing day the tension grew until a major confrontation took place. So intense were the words between these two leaders that one of them referred to the other as “a thief and a liar,” while the other referred to the one as “an instrument of the devil.” In the end, a prominent COG splinter group was fractured and a relationship that spanned five decades lay in ruins.

In the months following the split, hostilities continued to grow between what now had become two COG fellowships. But that wasn’t the worst of it. Shortly after the split, members of one fellowship began pursuing legal action against leaders of the other. That’s right: brother was taking brother to court! This was done despite the fact that the apostle Paul severely chastised the church at Corinth for doing the same thing. So strong were Paul’s words that he actually recommended that the petitioner suffer a loss rather than taking his dispute before civil authorities. Notice his words.

Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? Do you not know that the saints shall judge the world? And if the world shall be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know you not that we shall judge angels? How much more things that pertain to this life? If then you have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.

I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goes to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because you go to law one with another. Why do you not rather take wrong? Why do you not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? Nay, you do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren. (1 Cor.6: 1-8)

Human Reasoning Run Amuck

When word got out that a COG leader was actually encouraging his members to sue the other group’s leaders, some of his flock became mystified. One long-standing member decided to go to his local pastor and question him on this. The question was quite simple: “Why are God’s people being encouraged to sue our former association when the apostle Paul scolded the Corinthians because they took their brother to court?”

The response from this minister (who sat on the newly formed fellowship's council of elders) was stunning. His exact words were “We can do it because they are not our brothers. We disfellowshipped them. And we are not their brothers because they disfellowshipped us.” Imagine a servant of the true God uttering such words, but that is exactly what he did.

This now brings us to a very important question. WHO IS YOUR BROTHER? With all the wrangling that seems to be going on in God’s Church today, it seems an appropriate one to ask. Is there a Biblical standard for defining who our brother is? Furthermore, did Jesus ever address this question? The answer is simple. Yes He did. And He did so in one of the most eloquent parables ever given.

The Good Samaritan

A Lesson in Brotherhood

The gospel of Luke records one of the most poignant lessons ever given by the Messiah. It was conveyed by way of a parable during His later Judean ministry. At this time He was asked by a scribe, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

At this point it is important to understand that scribes were regarded as experts in the law of Moses and its application. This particular scribe was undoubtedly a scholar and his question may very well have been designed to test Jesus’ understanding of the law. Notice how Luke introduces this event.

And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, “Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (Lk. 10:25)

Jesus responds to this query by asking a question of His own. Knowing the scribe’s affinity for the law, the Messiah offers him an opportunity to share his wisdom.

He (Jesus) said unto him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it? (Lk. 10:26)

In essence Jesus was saying, “You’re the lawyer, what does the law say?” The scribe may have seen this question as no challenge at all, for his answer revealed a keen understanding of the scriptures and was filled with confidence and self-assurance.

And he (the scribe) answering said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” (Lk. 10:27)

Jesus responded by acknowledging the accuracy of the scribe’s answer but left him with an unsettling admonition.

And He (Jesus) said unto him, “You have answered right: this do, and you shall live.” (Lk. 10: 28)

Jesus’ words are masterful. Although He affirms the scribe’s understanding, He suggests that this prominent lawyer may be falling short of the law in his daily life. Therefore, He exhorts him with the words “This do and you shall live.” The implication in Jesus’ words is that the lawyer may not have been doing what the law required. Although the scribe knew the law, Jesus was suggesting that he didn’t know how to put it into practice. In other words the scribe did not grasp its meaning and intent. These were bold words indeed to be spoken to such a prominent leader, but Jesus proclaimed them with force.

At this point the dialogue becomes more focused. And although Luke does not mention any sub-plot, there may have been one here all along. It is possible that Jesus wanted to present this lesson from the beginning and therefore used language that pressed the scribe to continue the discussion. The Messiah knew all too well how human nature worked and how man is consumed with justifying his behavior. He also knew the religious leaders of His day and how self-righteous they were. Whatever the case, Jesus’ words clearly put this religious leader on the defensive.

Luke goes on to explain that the scribe then employed a tactic very common in legal arguments—he sought to deflect Jesus’ admonition by demanding that He define his terms.

But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” (Lk. 10:29)

The Greek word for “neighbor” used by Luke when recounting this story is plesion {play-see'-on}. By definition it means a “friend.” It clearly denotes one worthy of love and respect—like a brother or near kin. The scribe may have asked this question because he could not imagine why Jesus would suggest that he was not following the law. However, this is right where the Messiah wanted the conversation to go.

Jesus has now set the stage for one of the greatest lessons in Christianity ever given. In the parable of “The Good Samaritan” He presents a scenario that will require this scribe to acknowledge something he never could have imagined just moments earlier. This is because Samaritans were held in contempt by the Jews of Jesus day. They looked upon them as inferior interlopers who had no place in the land of Israel, let alone in God's Kingdom. Even the word “Samaritan” was commonly used as an insult and was once employed against the Messiah Himself, "Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon (Jn. 8:48 RSV)?” The point here is that this scribe would never think of associating with a Samaritan, let alone regard one as a friend or neighbor. But all that was about to change. Jesus now tells a story of true friendship and brotherhood.

And Jesus answering said, “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.” (Lk. 10:30)

This was not just a mugging, but a brutal assault. The man (an Israelite) is in all likelihood left to die. Additionally, he was not only beaten and robbed, but humiliated—he was stripped of his clothing and left without hope. As he lay bleeding, his countrymen (a Levite and a Priest) approach him. Surly this was good news—or was it? Jesus continues.

“And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.” (Lk. 10:32-32)

This is astonishing. Common decency would have demanded that these men rush to the aid of their severely injured countryman—but they would not. With what can only be described as “callused indifference,” they went out of their way to avoid him.

Although Luke does not describe the reaction of the scribe at this point, it is possible that he saw the story as very plausible. He may have even thought of people he knew that would have done the very thing the priest and Levite did. Perhaps he even saw himself in the story. Jesus then presents the core of this great moral lesson. He introduces the NEIGHBOR—and as it turned out, he was a lowly Samaritan.

“But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, ‘Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spend more, when I come again, I will repay thee.’” (Lk. 10:33-35)

The Samaritan’s kindness toward a man who probably had nothing but contempt for him, was extraordinary. He not only treated his wounds, but also sacrificed his own comfort so that this stranger would not suffer further. He even gave of his substance to insure that the man would fully convalesce. This Samaritan never asked himself, “What has this guy done for me lately?” He never saw this as a chance to get even for past wrongs. This act of goodness was simply driven by genuine outgoing concern for a man who desperately needed it.

Jesus then asks the scribe the question of the day. And although the answer is obvious, it must be uttered.

“Which now of these three, do you think was a neighbor to him that fell among the thieves?” And he said, “He that showed mercy on him.” Then said Jesus unto him, “Go, and do thou likewise.” (Lk. 10:36-37)

With these final words, Jesus is giving far more than the scribe had sought. Consider what the Messiah has done. While the scribe originally wanted to know who his neighbor was, Jesus gave an example of what the scribe must do in order to be a neighbor to others. His admonition was that if the scribe wants to know the real meaning of the words, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself,” he should be less interested in the word “neighbor” and more interested in the word “love.” In other words Jesus was admonishing the scribe to be the neighbor. In the words of our Savior, “Go, and do thou likewise.”

A Final Thought

The lesson of the “Good Samaritan” should be clear to all of God’s people. What Jesus was declaring is that compassion toward others is what God’s law is all about. This is what was unquestionably lost on the COG minister who justified the indefensible with the words, "They are not our brother...and we are not their brother." Few words could contradict the scriptures more. It is true that Jesus used the term "neighbor" but the principle is undeniably the same.

Trying to justify our hostility toward other COG groups is self-serving and just plain wrong. When the leaders of God’s Church argue that their fellowship is somehow more like Christ than other fellowships, they make a BIG mistake. In essence, they are acting more like a priest and a Levite spoken of nearly two thousand years ago. This is just a suggestion, but perhaps we should try acting a little more like a certain Samaritan who probably never even thought to ask, "Is this man my neighbor?"