Tavern Talk #82 - Who is my neighbor?

This month at The Tavern, we revisited one of the most familiar stories in Scripture - the Good Samaritan. Some of us discovered that there’s much more to it than meets the eye while others of us were reminded of the question, "who is my neighbor?"

Our conversation began with context: Jesus was speaking with a lawyer who may have been showing off his knowledge of the law by asking for a precise definition. "Who is my neighbor?” Was he thinking in terms of the Hebrew meaning, which emphasized kinship and community, or the Greek understanding, which broadened the scope? Jesus’s response through this parable made it clear that the question wasn’t about definitions but about living out compassion.

We also took time to look at each of the characters in the story - the priest, the Levite, the Samaritan, the innkeeper, even the man left wounded on the road. It was interesting to consider how we can relate to all of them in different seasons of life. Sometimes we’re the invisible person who even organized religion has left stranded on the side of life even though we are badly in need of mercy, help, and kindness. Sometimes we’re the ones who think we’re living the life we should, but are actually walking by those opportunities to live our Christian life to its fullest. And sometimes, we’re called to cross the road and show compassion, even when it’s inconvenient or uncomfortable.

The takeaway? Jesus’s parables continue to offer practical, challenging, and deeply relevant lessons for our lives today. The Good Samaritan isn’t just about kindness. It’s about how we see others, how we act when faced with need, and how we live out the command to “go and do likewise.”

Additional Reading:

Luke 10:25-37