NEAR
The stretch between Jerusalem and Jericho is seventeen miles. The Samaritan from the story Jesus is telling is not from either place. He’s just traveling through. He’s a stranger. Samaritan’s were viewed as the enemy by the people of Israel at that time. Put yourself in his sandals. He comes across someone badly injured on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere. Maybe he’s afraid, nervous, stressed, anxious. Maybe he’s got somewhere to be. Maybe it’s getting dark. Maybe it’s been a long day. Maybe it’s not his responsibility to stop and help someone half-dead on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere. Maybe he’s got plenty of “good” reasons to pass by.
Mood, affect, and feeling moves us toward or away from something or someone. Some translations of the Bible say the Samaritan was moved with pity. Others say he felt compassion. This feeling of compassion or pity moved him toward the victim. It led him to go near the other person and to help the other person. It’s difficult to know if the Samaritan saw the wounded man first and then went near—or—if he happened to go near and then saw the wounded man. Here are some different translations of Luke 10:33.
But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. (NRSV)
But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. (NIV)
But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. (NKJV)
But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, (NASB)
Taking these verses collectively, it says the Samaritan “came near him, came where the man was, came where he was, came upon him—and when he saw him—he was moved with pity, he took pity on him, he had compassion, he felt compassion.”
Conversely, the priest and the Levite saw the wounded person and passed by on the other side (Luke 10:31-32). We don’t know if they moved away from the wounded man based on their mood, affect, feelings, or if it was their beliefs.
In situations like this, there are several phases that unfold before you fully comprehend what you think or feel. For example, you might withdraw (move away) from someone in need before you actually “name” the emotion or feeling that is leading you away. It is possible, however, to improve at this by practicing interoception, which allows you to become better at interpreting or being more mindful of, aware of, and attended to the physiological and sensory activity constantly going on inside of you.
Being a neighbor means being near, going near. Compassion moves you toward people, toward mercy. When compassion and mercy come together at the same time and in the same place, “good” things happen. These are things that matter to God. They are eternal things.
It’s difficult to be compassionate and merciful if you keep yourself distanced from others—physically & emotionally. Think of a time when you were sick, hurting, or suffering and someone was right there with you. Hopefully, you felt their compassion for you. When we’re injured, hurt, or sick we long for someone to nurture us back to health. Compassion is more than an obligation. A compasssionate person wants to help you recover, get well, & feel better. Undoubtedly, when you experience compassion & mercy, you feel loved.
Being stranded or attacked in a remote place is a helpless feeling. Being helped in such a caring manner helps us heal.
References:
[1] I. Howard Marshall, The New International Greek Testament Commentary, The Gospel of Luke (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1978), 444.
[2] Karoline Lewis, “The Need for Nearness,” Working Preacher (July 3, 2016).
Discuss the reflection reading above.
Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus.
“Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
He said to him,
“What is written in the law? What do you read there?”
He answered,
“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 neighbor as yourself.”
And he said to him,
“You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.”
But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus,
“And who is my neighbor?”
Jesus replied,
“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said,
‘Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’
Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?”
He said,
“The one who showed him mercy.”
Jesus said to him,
“Go and do likewise.”
What is compassion?
Describe what it feels like to be moved with compassion (pity).
How does feeling compassion (pity) lead to showing mercy?
Share your thoughts about the video.
How do the lessons from the video relate to Luke 10:25-37?
Share your thoughts about this article.
What is your definition interoception?
How does interoception relate to Luke 10:25-37
Everyone silently asks the same question (shown below) to God in prayer. It may be helpful to ask the question more than once. Then, wait patiently for 4-5 mins while listening for a response from God.
Lord, Am I loving You with all my heart, soul, mind, & strength?
Allow each person to share what they heard or experienced while in prayer.
Discuss the ways in which God loves your neighbor.
Take a moment to write down your answer.
Lord, Guide us toward life eternal. Amen.