By Olatunde Onobajo
I have read the parable of the Good Samaritan multiple times and I am always amazed at Christ’s teachings and the new revelation I receive each time.
According to Luke 10: 25-37, an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus! Isn’t that what we all do? Test Jesus’ knowledge about new age stuff because we subconsciously believe that we know more than Jesus can ever know about this life. Many of us reading this might often say, “Lord, this is the 21st century, it’s different from the Bible Times” But the truth is that Jesus is the creator of the 21st and 22nd century! This “expert in the law” then went on to ask Jesus about “what to do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 10:25).
Dear readers, eternal life is life after this earthly one. Eternal life is life with no ending. Some will live it pleasantly while others will gnash their teeth and will weep endlessly. After Jesus answered this “expert in the law”. He further inquired, asking Jesus another question: “Who is my neighbor?”
Today, many of us—Christians included—are asking Jesus this same question… “who is my neighbor?” without even realizing our folly. Despite reading this parable over and again, we often fail to apply Jesus’s response when dealing with each other, even amongst ourselves as Christians.
“Who Is My Neighbor?”
When Jesus answered the question, He espoused on the concept that ANYONE is literally your neighbor. Who you show love and genuinely care for should not be defined by culture, skin tone, race, ethnic group, gender, language, age, socio-economic status, etc., if that was acceptable, then Jesus would have died for only the Jews but as you know, Jesus died for all human race.
This is the Good News! As Christians—and humans—we are literally called to the ministry of love, just like Christ. “For God so love the world that He gave…” (John 3:16)
Love does not discriminate, love does not act harshly towards the stranger you meet on the street. Love does not look down on another person just because they speak a different language or drive a certain type of car. Love does not look the other way when another person is hurting—physically, mentally, emotionally. Love is willing to lay down his or her life to save another person. It’s the ultimate sacrifice that our Lord Jesus paid.
The parable of the Good Samaritan is a reminder to us Christians, and the rest of the world, to lay aside our pride and reach out to each other. This world will end one day, but all you’ve ever done here will determine where you will forever be! Just like the “expert of the law” asked Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”
The answer to this question is simple? Help others, not hurt them. Seek to heal, not wound!
This is the summary of the Good News, the crux of John 3:16.
Please feel free to post your thoughts and comments so that we can all learn from each other. God bless you. Written by Olatunde Onabajo for The Kingdom TV