This Sunday is part two of a message I shared last week redefining Good Religion. Sunday we will look at a very familiar story from Luke 10, the Parable of the Good Samaritan. The context of this parable is Jesus and an expert of the Jewish law are discussing how a person can inherit eternal life. Another way to say that is, what is a good religion? Jesus and the man agree that good religion is loving God and loving your neighbor. But the expert of the law wants to justify himself and what has been his typical religious practice of neighboring, so he asks the question, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus responds by sharing the parable of the Good Samaritan. I’m assuming we are all familiar with the account. Jesus closes the discussion by asking the expert a different question. A better question. The more important question: “Who was the neighbor to the man who fell to the hands of robbers?” Jesus masterfully connects Good Religion first, to love for God, which, if sincere, will be accompanied by a sacrificial love for others.
It is easy to think of religion as something we do in a sanctuary building or on a mountain top experience. Jesus teaches us that true religion is as practical as meeting the needs of others who can never repay our kindnesses. That is a true neighbor! Join me this Sunday for part two of Good Religion.