SECTION 1 = 8 mins

5 MINs >> REFLECTION

INTERPRET

It’s possible to know what the Bible says but not know what it means or what to do with it. We can also differ on what it means or what to do with it. For example, the phrase “born again,” or “born from above,” from John 3 remains somewhat mysterious even if we try to explain it theologically, metaphysically, or experientially. There ways several ways to interpret the last supper Jesus had with his disciples. Eucharist or Communion practices among church denominations are based on how we interpret this event. Baptism is interpreted in several different ways as is salvation, or justification. Theologians have debated for 2000 years the meanings and practices of many Biblical words, phrases, and concepts.

In the story of The Good Samaritan, the lawyer knew what the Law of Moses said about loving his neighbor, but he still asked Jesus about it. The lawyer wanted to who he was supposed to love. He learned not only who to love but also how to love. The priest and Levite apparently needed help with this too. They knew the Law but struggled with applying it. Our experiences and perceptions are largely subjective. Misinterpretations happen because our subjectivity becomes a substitute for truth.

Interpreting and applying God’s word can be difficult even for those trained, educated, & appointed to steward it. In seminary, students learn about exegesis. It’s basically a close reading of the text.

Exegesis is a systematic plan for coming to understand a Biblical text. The goal should be to move beyond a sequence of steps to a personal, instinctive, and intuitive way of interacting with the text. The art of exegesis involves learning how to ask open, honest questions of the text while also being willing to patiently listen for the answer. [1]

At the beginning of the story, the lawyer has to interpret what Jesus says. First, the lawyer asks Jesus, What must I do to inherit eternal life? Jesus, in turn, asks the lawyer, What does it say? What do you read there? A portion of the lawyer’s response comes from Leviticus 19:18, which says, love your neighbor as yourself. However, the lawyer doesn’t include verse 34, which says, love the alien (foreigner, stranger) as yourself, for you were aliens (foreigners, strangers) in the land of Egypt.

Later in the conversation, the lawyer asks Jesus, Who is my neighbor? Jesus tells the story of the Samaritan, and then asks the lawyer to interpret the meaning of the Samaritan story by asking him, essentially, Who was a neighbor? Was it the Levite, the Priest, or the Samaritan? The lawyer said it was the one who showed mercy, which was the Samaritan. Jesus and the lawyer are having a conversation about the meaning of words from the Law of Moses and what those words mean when we encounter a person in need. The meaning and the application are congruent. Jesus helps us overcome the subjective nature and biases of our own interpretations.

It’s useful to see how Jesus interacts with the lawyer. It doesn’t turn into a heated argument. When two people interpret the meaning of words or perceive the significance of events differently, a disagreement soon follows. Sometimes our differences create separation. Our differences often begin by calling something “true” instead of recognizing that our experiences, interpretations, and perceptions are subjective. Self-awareness and mutual respect can usually keep things civil. Regardless of the other person’s response, Jesus shows us that love is always a good approach when interpretations about what is written, or what was said, are being made.

Wisdom is supposed to help us interpret or discern things and make decisions in alignment with God’s will (see James 3:13-18). Earthly wisdom, for some, is a personal collection of homespun sayings, stories, cliches, myths, ideologies, and traditions that forms the basis of their values and beliefs, informs their decisions, and establishes their preferences. It’s not the same as God’s wisdom, which is “first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy.” Wisdom from above (peaceable, gentle, etc.) looks a lot like God’s idea of love (patient, kind, etc.), while earthly wisdom, according to James, is envious and selfish. Wisdom from above more accurately interprets and perceives (i.e., discerns) meaning.

As the priest and Levite pass by an injured person, they do see him. But, how did they interpret or perceive the situation? What did they tell themselves they saw? It’s possible that they convinced themselves to believe something that was not true. For example, did they tell themselves that the man’s injuries were minor, and that he would be fine even if they didn’t stop? Or, did they tell themselves the man wasn’t hurt, but was resting? An inner false narrative (self talk) may have been quietly influencing their decisions. It takes them away from where God wants them to go.

We interpret what we read (the Bible, news, social media), we perceive what we see (art, images, photos), what we see and hear (tv, YouTube, Netflix), and how we see others (encounters, interactions, conversations). Our interpretations and perceptions and past experiences influence our current decisions. Many of the religious leaders did not perceive Jesus as the Son of God. They saw him as a criminal, so they crucified him. The priest and Levite did not see the wounded person on the road as a neighbor to love, so they passed by. The lawyer also struggled to see things clearly. Seeing ourselves in the moment, as we interpret things, brings awareness to the discernment process. Self-reflection can also be part of the learning process, of growing wise.

References:

[1] The Witness of Biblical Preaching, by Thomas G. Long

3 mins >> Discussion Questions + prompts

Discuss the reflection reading above,

SECTION 2 = 8 mins

3 MINS >> read luke 10:25-37 (NRSV shown below)

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.”

5 mins >> Discussion Questions + Prompts

• List each of the Samaritan’s actions that showed mercy to the wounded man.

• Discuss how far you would have gone to help someone in that situation.

SECTIONS 3 & 4 = 21 mins

11 mins >> Watch McGrath’s Sources of Theology

10 mins >> Discussion Questions + Prompts

• Share your thoughts about the video.

• How does the video help you interpret the story of the Good Samaritan?

SECTION 5 = 15 mins

10 mins >> Lectio Divina

Find a quiet place. Write down your answers for each step.

1. LECTIO >> 3 mins >> Read silently the verses from Luke 10:25-37. What word/phrase stands out?

2. MEDITATIO >> 2 mins >> Meditate & reflect on the word/phrase. Is there anything going on within you or in your life that is related to this word?

3. ORATIO >> 3 mins >> Bring the word/phrase into conversation with God. Listen. Is God saying anything to you?

4. CONTEMPLATIO >> 2 mins >> Empty yourself & rest in God’s presence. Be still. Is God revealing anything to you?

5 mins >> Discussion Questions + Prompts

• What word or phrase stood out to you?

• Describe something you learned or experienced.

SECTION 6 = 8 mins

7 mins >> Discussion Questions & Prompts

• How would you answer the question What must I do to inherit eternal life?

• Take a moment to write down your answer.

1 min >> Prayer & DISMISSAL

• Lord, Walk beside us on the road we travel today. Amen.