"any Samaritans Among Us?"

An expert in Jewish Law asked Jesus a question about eternal life. We have no indication that the question wasn't sincere. Eternal Life was more than a duration, but the quality, even the rewards of it.

The lawyer was correct in his answer to Jesus, at least textbook, but the man got it all wrong when he was trying to find a loophole about who his neighbor was.

A lot of church folk have all the textbook answers when it comes to the Bible, they can quote scripture with the best of them, but is it from the heart?

Jesus then helps the lawyer with a parable. In this parable if you do some background, it was very dangerous terrain with a drop off elevation of some 3000 feet. In addition, the area was noted to be a hideout for thieves and robbers. The traveler was alone when he beaten, robbed and left for dead.

Both a priest and a Levite passed by and ignored the mans plight. I am sure they probably had their reasons:

- Too dangerous to stop

- It might be a ploy to rob us

- We might be late for service

- Someone will stop!

So then came a Samaritan. Do you recall the tension and racial hatred from the past? Well, he overlooked all of that. He did the unthinkable, he helped the man, far beyond the call of duty.

The Samaritan, well, he was like Jesus. He was an outsider, despised, coming along after others had passed. Like Jesus, this man showed compassion and sacrifice.

Right about now we might ask, "Who is my neighbor?" Is it the folk living in my comfort zone? Are they the people just like me? It is a funny thing in the church today. We pray for opportunities and yet when God sends them our way, we too just pass by. Is it also possible that we need to reconsider what Jesus wants us to do today? Are there any Samaritans among us?