Although it is easy to see the moral of this parable as simply “the one who does the good deed is my neighbor,” it is important to note that, historically, Samaritans and Jews did not get along at all. Jesus did not just choose a random class people to use in His parable, He specifically chose the priest – one of the holiest of peoples – and the Samaritan – one of the most looked down upon of peoples by the Jews at the time. With this knowledge in mind, it is evident that when the priest passed up the wounded man on the road while the Samaritan was the one who showed compassion, Jesus was indeed saying to this ‘expert of the law’ that even the Samaritans are neighbors to the Jews! Not just the people of our church, the people in our suburb, and the people that we are comfortable being around.
In my experience living abroad in Jerusalem/Palestine for a year, I could very well insert Arab where Jesus used Samaritan. I was, at first, very uncomfortable in this new environment – after all, the U.S. was at war with several of their sister countries and I clearly stuck out as a white American/European. But I was soon reminded that Jesus does not always call us to be comfortable in our ministries. On the contrary! – He says the gate to life is small and the path is narrow and arduous. With this in mind as I ventured out into the streets of Palestine, I had a very skeptical idea of ‘who my neighbor is’ but God granted me the strength and courage I needed to do his work and I was willing to keep an open mind. I soon found to my surprise that, like the wounded man on the street, I was shown more hospitality by these complete strangers than I ever received here in the United States. I was taken in and given three course meals fit for a king that I knew they could not afford, but it was of the utmost importance that their guest, even an American, be honored in this way. I was deeply humbled by their kindness and generosity.
Probably the most important thing I learned by living abroad is that the most rewarding ministry is oftentimes the most challenging. It is true that God calls me to go to Rollercoaster parks for a day with Atonement’s youth, and I gratefully accept this as an important part of God’s work. As I look around myself, however, to all of the “narrow and arduous” roads of ministry, I realize that God may have more challenges set out before me than I’d like to admit. As it is a difficult working progress in my life, I would like to encourage everyone to be willing to step out of your comfort zone when the opportunity to perform God’s more challenging ministry arises. Be willing to ask yourself “who is your neighbor?” because someday you may find yourself wounded in the streets and your Samaritan may be the one who comes and feeds you, bandages your wounds, and brings you to the hospital.
Paul Kacynski
Interim Youth Director
