The parable of the Good Samaritan is a story almost everyone knows, regardless of their beliefs. It's all about doing what we know in our hearts we should - not walking past those in need, even if offering help is inconvenient, costly, risky... and all the other reasons which make us look the other way, take a detour. And we should do this even if the person in trouble is unknown to us.
But what often get's forgotten is what prompted Jesus to tell this story. It was the wise man's question about how to get to heaven. The ending. Jesus' final response we could have probably guessed. "If you want eternal life, show care like the Samaritan did." A simple answer to an important question.
Matter closed? Not really, not if you think about it. Because if my eternal destiny depends on always playing the Good Samaritan, then I'm not in with a chance..
The message Jesus wants to get over isn't simply about treating everyone as your neighbour ( although that's what he'd like us to do ). No, it's about facing up to the fact that through our own efforts we cannot secure our salvation - not even if Jesus lowers the pass mark a bit making it ok to walk past every other street beggar.
Here's a sermon by Hugh Palmer, one time Rector at All Souls Langham Place, which put these ideas better than my words.
Sermon series: A sting in the tale - Radical Generosity Preacher: Hugh Palmer 29/07/2018
Find this and other sermons in the All Souls Langham Place Sermon Library.
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