Sermon on 22nd Sunday Luke 10:25-37
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
When you were a child, you were taught to “be friendly with your brothers and friends,” and when you became an adult, you were taught to “be friendly with your coworkers and neighbors.” This is very important. But today’s Bible story teaches us something even more important.
A Jew was walking alone along a lonely mountain path when he was attacked by robbers, stripped of all his belongings, and collapsed with serious injuries that left him near death… Two people passed by, but they both ignored him. However, the last person, to pass by, Samaritan, felt sorry for him, treated him, and gave him a ride on his donkey. When they arrived at an inn, he gave the owner some money, said, “Look after him, and if you need more money, I’ll stop by on my way back and pay you then,” and continued on his journey.
Jesus asked those who were listening, “Who was this Jew’s friend?” When he answered, “The one who showed him kindness,” Jesus replied, “Yes, you should do the same.”
Why did Jesus tell this story? Because our neighbors are not only our close friends. It was a Samaritan who was kind to the injured Jew. Jews and Samaritans have always had a bad relationship and did not associate with each other. But this Samaritan was kind to the poor Jew. Anyone can be kind to those who are close to them. However, not many people are kind to people they don’t know well or who they don’t get along with very well. But Jesus teaches that all people are created by God and that everyone is important to God, so we must be kind to people we know and people we don’t know. When God created people, His goal was for all people to become neighbors and become one. Our neighbors are not just our current neighbors. Even if we are not neighbors now, even if we don’t get along, let’s help and forgive each other and become neighbors.
In the church, God helps us, and people we didn’t know become neighbors one after another.