In Jesus’ famous parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) a lawyer, an expert on interpreting religious law, pointedly asked Jesus a question, “Who is my neighbor?” Between the lines he was seeking to know, “Who — before God — am I responsible for? Who do I have to care for and take care of? What are my boundaries?” Even while asking the question, the lawyer must have believed that he already knew the answer : only Jews.
The Jewish Jesus answered by telling the memorable parable of the “Good” Samaritan. Now at the end of his story, Jesus asked “Which of the three men do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” Clearly Jesus turned the lawyer’s question around. Notice that Jesus’ questioner had asked, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus asked, “Which one acted neighborly?” Got that? Not, “Who is my neighbor?” That’s plainly the wrong question. “Which one acted like a neighbor?” Jesus meant that we are responsible for everyone we come across.
In response to Jesus’ own question at the conclusion of his story, “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” the expert of the law answered, “The one who had mercy on him.” Then Jesus replied, “Go and do likewise.”
Whenever I read the parable, I congratulate myself that I am able to see through the lawyer’s sophistry and realize that, in asking the wrong question, he was artfully trying to rationalize the fact that he did not personally want to be responsible for anyone he considered unworthy of his time and energy. But then I remember that I am — in my heart — much less like the Good Samaritan and much more like this tricky lawyer. I too avoid the people that I think to be “unworthy.” I too cross to the other side of the street. I too draw tight boundaries.
And Jesus says to me today, just as he said so long ago, “Just who do you think you are? What makes you more worthy than anyone else? What makes you imagine that you are entitled to draw boundaries? Listen to me: there are no boundaries. You are responsible for showing my love to each person you meet, regardless of your, or their, circumstances. I have given you an example. Now go and do likewise.”
