A familiar story

The parable of the Good Samaritan is perhaps one of the best known stories in the bible. The title (which, by the way, doesn't appear in the text) has even been adopted by the secular world--taken to mean someone who stops to help a stranger.

Those familiar ones are the ones we should take the most time picking apart, because our brains have already assimilated the story so full, we're no longer shocked by the parts that are designed to do so. One of the study aids I use is commentary on the gospel by Pastor Brian Stoffegren. This week he quotes a biblical scholar named Funk on the subject "Why a Samaritan?"

A Jew who was excessively proud of his blood line and a chauvinist about his tradition would not permit a Samaritan to touch him, much less minister to him. In going from Galilee to Judea, he would cross and recross the Jordan to avoid going through Samaria. The parable therefore forces upon its hearers the question: who among you will permit himself or herself to be served by a Samaritan? In a general
way it can be replied that that only those who have nothing to lose by so doing can afford to do so. But note that the victim in the ditch is given only a passive role in the story. Permission to be served by the Samaritan is thus inability to resist. Put differently, all who are truly victims, truly disinherited, have no choice but to give themselves up to mercy. The despised half-breed has become the instrument of grace: as listeners, the Jews choke on the irony. (p. 33)

He concludes his comments on this parable thusly:

 ... the parable of the Good Samaritan may be reduced to two propositions

 (1) In the Kingdom of God mercy comes only to those who have no
 right to expect it and who cannot resist it when it comes.

(2) Mercy always comes from the quarter from which one does not and
cannot expect it.

An enterprising theologian might attempt to reduce these two sentences to one:

(1) In the kingdom mercy is always a surprise. (p. 34)

I like that--mercy is always a surprise! Grace happens.

Has there ever been a time in your life when God's mercy and grace came upon you and you just couldn't resist it? I have--and I'll tell you about it tomorrow!

For now, stay well, and be surprised!