Power and Powerlessness
ry on this parable by Bede, an English monk and scholar around the 6th-7th century AD. His historical works are among the greatest sources of information on the early history of England; he also had many theological works shared across the church during his time. On the priest and the Levite, Bede surmised that “The priest and the Levite who saw the wounded man and passed by denote the priests and ministers of the Old Testament who could only show up the wounds of the sick world by the decrees of the law, but could not cure them”. Bede – the Good Samaritan.
Perhaps this is not a new take for you; I guess it had not struck me in that way before. Unfortunately, highlighting the wounds of others is way too easy to do, but overcoming the broken state of our neighbor is sometimes too hard to do, and often means getting our hands dirty with work.
As with many parables, this story speaks on many levels, and the person of the Samaritan is multi-faceted.
Firstly, he was the one who cared. It is easy to reject someone because of their brokenness, and let’s face it – we’re all broken in one way or another. It is a risky investment to sow into someone, investing time and love that they may find in themselves the best version of who they are. When someone has fallen or erred, has failed in life, or even just been a victim of something outside of their control, the Samaritan came to show compassion and, out of his own pocket and time, see to his aid.
Secondly, he represents Christ and redemption. Before Christ, there was no power of redemption through faith. There was only the law. Galatians 3 states that the law does not need faith; it does not lead to healing, only highlights the curse of sin. While the priest and Levite showed what weak and impoverished looks like, the Samaritan revealed what faithfulness and redemption are. Christ (the Samaritan) not only embodies healing, but in a way embodies it in the same way the victim is the image of brokenness and shame.
Thirdly, the Samaritan was the unlikely one. The injured man represented someone who had rejected the Samaritan and considered Samaritan culture less worthy. A Samaritan was someone who was disliked among Jews because of their heritage and elements of idolatry in their culture. Perhaps you consider yourself to be the unlikely one to step forward?
For us, in Christ, no one is unworthy to serve – although sometimes God has us build our character before he releases us. God has called us all into His service and prepared for us all work to do. (Eph 2:10) Not everyone serves behind a pulpit; there are many ways to manifest Christ in the world we live in. What is important is to know what God has called you to – look to what gifts, passions and talents He has given you as they often are a clue to what He has called you to be.
I encourage you to consider this story. We have the power of Christ and live in the strength of His redemption. This is not just for us to receive, but we can also be agents of it too. A plate of food for a struggling family, or an anonymous box of groceries left at the door of someone who needs them. A few hours volunteering, or even just a call to check in on someone who may be lonely. Brokenness comes in many shapes, and the harder this world gets, the easier it is to find.
And, above all… real prayer. Learn to pray in such a way as to shape the world we live in.