....mean to you?
To me, since all the ones who passed by and didn't help were religious and the one who stopped and did help was an infidel, it means that our works are more important than our faith.
Do you agree?
2007-09-02 01:48:26 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The question asked here in this passage is, "Who is my neighbor?" The parable of the Good Samaritan is an answer to this question. Jesus chose his examples very carefully, and the three men in this parable are not randomly chosen by any stretch. The choice of a priest and a Levite as the first two men is telling because both are men of the Book, closely related to Temple life, to the belief and faith of Jesus time. The choice of the Samaritan complements the first two, by providing Jesus with a man not of the Book, not part of Temple life, not part of the Hebrew society at all, an outsider who is quite literally a 'Heathen'.
Jesus sends us a clear message that it is through helping the stranger who has fallen among thieves that we become a neighbour in Christ. His characters were clear, the story direct and compelling, and yet people seem to ignore the central point … believe whatever you want, but if you do everything you can to help that man, fallen among thieves, then, and only then, you WILL be a neighbour in Christ.
2007-09-02 02:06:22 · answer #1 · answered by thundercatt9 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You interpret parables in context. The context was a man asked Christ what was the most important commandment of the Law. The answer was to love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. And then Christ added, You should love your neighbor as yourself.
The next phrase is important, it says that seeking to justify himself the man asked, Who is my neighbor (looking for a loophole).
Christ than gave the parable. He made the hero of the parable a Samaritan who at the time was not thought of well in Israel. What the message of the parable is attempting to show is that you are to love your neighbor--even if your neighbor is your enemy, and even if you were previously hating your neighbor. This ties into the other Bible teaching of the one who loves fulfils the law.
This is not a statement on works or faith, it is a statement on whom are we to love.
2007-09-02 01:57:38 · answer #2 · answered by Todd 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
To me it means we should not judge people because they are from other countries, tribes or faiths.
Samaritans and Jews did not get along at that time. This parable shows that an individual of a social group one disapproves of can exhibit moral behavior that is superior to individuals of the groups one approves; it also means that not sharing the same faith is no excuse to behave poorly, as there is a universal moral law.
We could also relate this story in the context of a gay person helping an anti-gay Christian after others sharing the anti-gay Christian's homophobia passed him/her by.
2007-09-02 02:12:30 · answer #3 · answered by Michael B - Prop. 8 Repealed! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christians have no legitimate enemies! It's not 'ok' to hate or condem anyone God has created.
Love your neighbor, Love your enemies. Jesus wasn't just being cute when he commanded this.
And yes, I agree with your intreptation. There are many 'truths' in parables.
2007-09-02 01:52:05 · answer #4 · answered by Fancy That 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Read, James 2:14-20 for a clear explanation, you may change your mind then.
2007-09-02 02:08:46 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes without the works, what is the use of faith.
2007-09-02 01:55:48 · answer #6 · answered by joe 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, not at all. It shows that what we truly believe....will show in our actions.
2007-09-02 01:52:06 · answer #7 · answered by Eartha Q 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It tells me that we don't get our morals from religion.
2007-09-02 01:52:17 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋