July 15, 2022

“Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side.” Luke 10:31-32

Jesus continues relating the parable in answer to the certain lawyer’s question: “And who is my neighbor?” And in so doing, He also provides numerous other identities . . .

Jesus speaks of a certain priest who saw the wounded man. The aspect of the story that he passed by on the other side clearly expresses disdain for the wounded one. Now this priest was a representative of God’s people. To double down on the condition of God’s professed people, the Teacher speaks of another man, a Levite, on the same path (down from Jerusalem to Jericho) who came and looked at the wounded man, then passed by on the other side just as the priest had done. It is understood that the priest was also a Levite, as the priestly leadership was a segment of the tribe of Levi. The lesser educated of the two at least came and looked (more than the priest had done). But the terrible example of leadership was given priority over any compassion he may have had.

Thus far, there are three characters in the story: the stripped and wounded man left half dead is any and every one of us. Satan, from one angle or another, has led each of us into a lost condition. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) The remedy for sin—encompassed in repentance toward God, forgiveness of sins, and power to live a new life—is shrouded and obscured by deceptions. In this sense, the enemy has an advantage because he is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44). The one thing God cannot do is lie.

The second and third characters are church leaders with no fruit of the Spirit. They too are lost. They exhibit self-righteousness and a disdainful attitude toward others (reiterated in Luke 18:11). So, the three characters thus far presented are all in a lost condition. Now we meet a fourth character:

But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where [the wounded man] was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. (v.33)

This certain Samaritan is not described as going down like the first three characters in the story. The words “as he journeyed” suggest that he is on a mission. He went directly to the wounded man and viewed him with compassion. It is stunning that Jesus chose to describe the fourth character as a Samaritan. This word was used to describe a mixed race of despised people resulting from the earlier dissolution of the northern ten tribes of Israel. God had allowed them to be absorbed among the swarming Assyrians (and other pagan groups) for their disobedience some 700 years BC. This term was worse than any “swear word” that could be used to insult someone. Jesus Himself was called a Samaritan by some Pharisees. It is interesting that He did not deny the charge…

“He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.” Then the Jews answered and said to Him, “Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?” Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me.” John 8:47-49