Pastor’s Corner – August 8, 2024
Jesus Told a Parable VII
Teachers in Jesus’ time commonly used parables to express ideas. The parable is a story-like form of metaphorical communication. Parables invite reflection and conversation through multi-layered and open-ended interpretation. Parables are a perfect form for God’s Spirit to convey wisdom in both timeless and timely ways. Parables often come with a surprising twist, revealing the way Jesus’ lessons are counter-cultural and counter-intuitive. Jesus told parables to help his followers understand the quality and character of life aligned with God’s values.
The parable of the Samaritan is found in Luke 10:30-37. This familiar parable is offered in response to a Lawyer’s question about living life with God. The parable tells of a traveler who is robbed, beaten, and left to die. Two religious figures pass by without helping but a person from Samaria (Samaritans were estranged cousins of Jesus’ people) stopped to help. The parable concludes with a question from Jesus: Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers? The lawyer said, the one who showed him mercy. Jesus said to him, go and do likewise.
I invite you to take a spiritual reading of the parable. Read it through a few times slowly and prayerfully. Listen for the connecting points between the parable and your own life experience. Identify an image, word, or phrase that resonates in your spirit. Sit quietly and ask God to open your heart to a truth that you need in this moment in your life.
The word that keeps coming to the surface for me is the word mercy. I need to be more merciful with myself and others. I need to be more understanding of the situation and backstory that shape our thoughts, words, and actions. I need to be more compassionate and less demanding. I need to be more kind and helpful and trust the rest to God.
This is a lesson I glean from this parable of Jesus. How about you? How is the living Spirit of Christ connecting with you through this parable? Feel free to reach out if you would like to share your connecting point.
May the parables of Jesus help us grow in faith and discipleship.
Yours in Christ,
Marc
