Overcoming age-old racism: Looking at a biblical example

A teacher of the Mosaic Law tested Jesus with this question: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus countered with this question: “What is written in the Law?” The scribe replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul with all your strength and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus responded: “You answered correctly, do this and you will live.” “But, who is my neighbor?” retorted the scribe.

Jesus countered with this story: “A man (a Jew) was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho when he was attacked by robbers. (The 17-mile road from Jerusalem to Jericho was infested with robbers who attacked and robbed travelers). The robbers stripped the man of his clothes, beat him and left him half dead. A priest (a Jew) came along and, when he saw the man, passed by on the other side. Then a Levite (a Jewish temple worker) walked by, he also avoided helping the injured man. Next, a Samaritan, whose people hated the Jews, came down the road. He took pity on the man, bandaged his wounds, and brought him to an inn on a donkey. After ministering to the injured man during the night, the next day, the Samaritan gave the innkeeper some money, saying: ‘Look after him. When I return, I will reimburse you for any additional expenses.’”

Jesus then asked the scribe: “Which of these three men was a good neighbor?” The scribe answered, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus turned to him and said, “Go and do likewise.” The two passersby who ignored the beaten and bleeding man were Jews: a priest and a Levite. Both were members of the priestly family that served the temple in Jerusalem. The Samaritan was descended from Jewish haters who worshipped pagan gods and opposed Nehemiah’s efforts to rebuild Jerusalem (Nehemiah 6:1-14). Due to religious differences, the Samaritans and Jews were mortal enemies. A Jew would cross the street to avoid meeting a Samaritan. Yet, Jesus befriended the hated Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:1-30).

The Samaritan, whose people hated the Jews, set the example for us to follow. He looked beyond the Jewish man’s race and religion. He ministered to the beaten, bleeding man when two Jews, a priest and Levite, walked by and left him to die. The Samaritan loved his neighbor as the Savior taught. As 2020 recedes into the past, and a New Year beckons on the horizon, we would be wise to follow the example that Jesus set; namely, that we look beyond racial and social differences and extend love to those whose race or skin color is different than ours (Lev. 19:18; Mark 12:31).

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