Proper 10 The Good Samaritan

Luke 10: 25-37

I would be most surprised if any of us here did not know what we thought a ‘Good Samaritan’ is. We even have the organisation “The Samaritans” – set up to listen to and help people.

 

So we might think we know exactly what the story of Jesus – of the man mugged and ultimately helped by a Samaritan – is telling us.

Jesus tells the story to answer the question “who is my neighbour?”.

If this story from Jesus helps us realise that the neighbour is the one who steps in and helps – even if it is the one we least expect to help – then it is a story worth reading.

 

You can find some really heart-warming modern stories which echo exactly Jesus’ story of the person you least expect acting as a true loving neighbour.

 

I found this story. In May 2023, a  60 year old prison guard in Louisiana, Roberta Bell, heard that one of the women in the facility where she worked was about to give birth … and because they had no facilities at the prison, the baby would be taken from her immediately and placed in care. The prisoner, Katie Bourgeois, had just 2 months of her sentence left to serve, but was desperate from someone to love and care for her baby until her release.

 

When Roberta Bell told her supervisor that she planned to take the baby home, she was warned that if she did, it would be in breach of prison rules and she would lose her job.

The baby, a little boy, was born 2 days later, the mum asked for Roberta to take him home, and although it meant losing her job, that’s what she did. She cared for the little boy until the mum, Katie, was released from prison, and then she provided a home for mum & baby until Katie could find a suitable place to live.

When the news of the story got out, Roberta was swamped with donations of money, baby clothes, and nappies. With all she was given she set up a home to help mothers and babies get back on their feet – she has called it ‘Serenity House’.

Asked why she did all this, Roberta Bell replied “God told me to do this – it is my calling and my ministry”.

 

I find it moving to know that that are still people who will do the right thing for their neighbour – however unlike them they are – not just because they are a good person, but because they understand what it means to love God and love your neighbour as you love yourself.

 

And yet I wonder whether Jesus really meant to tell a story that might cause some people to think ‘I must serve others.. but am I good enough?’.

Because the starting point for the story of the Good Samaritan – the biblical version or any of the modern-day examples – is God’s love.

When asked by Jesus what the Law is, the lawyer says  "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself."

 

So here is a different way to look at the story. Through icons.

There is a tradition in icon-painting of depicting Jesus as the Good Samaritan.

The image titled ‘The Good Samaritan’ shows most of the story we know – if you look along the path to the right you see 2 figures in the distance  - the priest and the Levite, who have hurried past without helping. You can also see the inn – towards which the injured man, safely bandaged and held on the back of a horse – is now headed.

But holding the man in place, where we expect to see the Samaritan, is the figure of Jesus – wearing the traditional red tunic (said to signify the humanity of earth) with a blue mantle over it (signifying Jesus’ divinity – the blue of heaven).

The icon shows that it is Jesus who helps the man in distress: perhaps because the painter wants us to know that when we find ourselves becoming the casualties of life we can rely on Jesus to save us. He may send us a ‘Good Samaritan’ in our hour of need, but ultimately it is the love of God shown in Jesus which set us back on the right path.

 

The second icon may seem even more surprising as an image of the Good Samaritan.

It’s Jesus again – the risen Jesus, as we can see the marks of the nails in his hands and feet.

But this Jesus doesn’t need the help of a horse or donkey to carry the wounded person.

 

He is boldly striding between the rocks, and has placed the unconscious figure on his shoulders. This icon might remind us of Jesus the Good Shepherd, carrying the lost lamb back to the fold. I love the image that even if we are unconscious, Jesus can come and rescue us from the dangerous places of life and carry us back safely.

 This is a strong, saving Jesus.

 

You might like to spend some time just looking at the icons and deciding what they say to you, how they help you know better the Jesus whose love supports, guides and saves us.

 

After a few minutes silence, I will close by reading Psalm 25, verses 1-9, which express beautifully God’s care for his people, which is made human flesh in Jesus Christ.

 

 

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
O my God, in you I trust;
    do not let me be put to shame;
    do not let my enemies exult over me.
Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame;
    let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
    teach me your paths.
Lead me in your truth, and teach me,
    for you are the God of my salvation;
    for you I wait all day long.

Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love,
    for they have been from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
    according to your steadfast love remember me,
    for your goodness’ sake, O Lord!

Good and upright is the Lord;
    therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
He leads the humble in what is right,
    and teaches the humble his way.
All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,
    for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.

 

May the love of God fill your hearts,

The love of Christ rescue you from all harmm

The love of the Spirit fill you so that you may love God and your neighbour.

In the name of the one God, Father Son & Holy Spirit. Amen.