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Jesus works toward the reconciliation between God and human beings.
In his time on earth Jesus also wants to reconcile between the Jews and the Samaritans. Their relationship was not so good. They refuse any association with each other. But Jesus, a Jew, wants to reconcile. Jesus frees himself from Jewish costume of avoiding Samaritans. Jesus was free.

In this particular day, Jesus wanted to pass through the Samaritan city to go to ?Jerusalem. (Luke 9: 51-56) At first, Jesus was not welcomed. Jesus didn’t fuss about it. However, the students James and John were really mad and asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven rebuked them?” Jesus was scared of their thinking, because Jesus was trying to find a way to reach out to the Samaritans.

So, Jesus strongly corrected their way of thinking. And then he led them to another village. But Jesus didn’t give up reaching out to them. Jesus knew they were not rejecting Jesus. They were reacting out of their misunderstanding and the costume that these Samaritans had against the Jews. So, this time, Jesus went to Jerusalem by another way.

Jesus thought about what happened for awhile. Then, Jesus created a story to push through his understanding.

Jesus is going to reconcile every people. So here is the story that Jesus came out with: the Good Samaritan (Luke 10: 25-37). This wonderful story is told when Jesus is asked by a religious scholar. “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Then, Jesus asked him back, “what do you think? What is your interpretation?” The Jewish teacher got a right answer. He was like, “I know what exactly God wants: love God and love people/neighbors.”[1] Jesus was like, “You summed up nicely the whole thing. Go and do that.” The scholar wanted to talk with him little more. He asked: “how can he practice it? Who is my neighbor? How should we practice this knowledge?”

Then Jesus brought out this story. A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho. But the robbers stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A religious leader happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. A religious scholar came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a “Samaritan” business man saw him, he took pity on him. He bandaged his wounds. Then he put the man on his own car, took him to the hospital. Since he has to get going, he asked the nurse, “Could you look after this man? This is my number. I will reimburse for any extra expense.”

Then, Jesus asked, “Who is the neighbor of this victim?” The scholar replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Does this story explain about who Jesus is? Yes.

Why did Jesus become a human being? Jesus found a way to practice his own law: “compassion” to everyone, regardless to race, social circumstance, and educational level.

It is because of the divine mercy. In order to become a good neighbor to those who needs help. Then, this is a summary of the life of Jesus. Jesus captured the situation where he can exercise his compassion and generosity. If you think that way, an eternal life is being able to live like Jesus. Jesus lives his own words. Jesus is saying “I have lived like this. And I am inviting you to live like this.”

When you think about Jesus leaving the heavenly glory and dwelling among us, it is very small thing to have a loving attitude toward Samaritans. Jesus knew them and loved them. Jesus made this story to tell his life. The Good Samaritan is Jesus himself who is caught in the road to show mercy. Jesus helped out just because the people need his help. We don’t think we are victims who need him badly.

So, Christianity is to be very simple. “Follow Jesus!” What does that mean? It means, “Samaritans are your neighbors. The people of Nineveh are your neighbors. The rich are your neighbors. The poor are your neighbors. Caucasians are your neighbors. Asians are your neighbors. African Americans are your neighbors. Mexicans are your neighbors. Immigrants are your neighbors. Illegal immigrants are your neighbors.” (Luke 10: 30-37)

Since Jesus made a move to be associated with Samaritans. His disciples share the good news with Samaritans. (Acts 8: 25)


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[1] He didn’t mention anything about keeping Jewish dietary laws and customs, which the most Jews believed that they should keep them. So, this man had a pretty good discernment and understanding.