What to do?

Life.
Need I say more?
Ironic that one simple word can evoke so many different responses.  For some this carries peaceful thoughts and memories.  For others, not so much.  Sometimes these emotions provoked by a word can lead to action and this seems to be the goal of many of Jesus' parables.

Without a doubt Jesus got some emotions flowing in people listening.  Luke 10:25 seems to be a good example.  The well known story of "The Good Samaritan."  The story that often gets reduced to a moral code to go and help those in trouble.

So.  Jesus is teaching.  People are sitting down listening to him.  The lawyer, (same word in Greek as "scribe") having a question, stands up, as is custom.  This position of deference sheds a good light on the lawyer.  Yet, this does not last long, as the reader becomes immediately aware that the lawyer seeks to put Jesus to the test. "How much does this Jesus really know?" thinks the lawyer, "let us join in a theological debate."

"Hey Jesus, what shall I do?" Do. "You tell me," says Jesus.  Well, turns out that the lawyer knows.  Jesus says, "nice, that's it.  Now, go and do it."  Uh.  Do it?  This was simply a theological debate.  Not a question of actions.  The lawyer is quick on his feet and immediately seeks to "justify himself."

So.  The lawyer embarks on a questioned and debated term at the time, that is, "neighbor."  "Well, Leviticus is not exactly clear on who one's neighbor is, so let's see what Jesus says about that," he thinks.  Jesus tells a story.  Of course as the story progresses the lawyer thinks he has trapped Jesus.  "Ha! Of course the priest and the Levite passed by on the other side.  They could not defile their clothes.  Plus, this man on the other side of the ditch is most likely a Samaritan."

Not so fast, lawyer.  "However, a Samaritan..."  A Samaritan?  Helps out?  Wait, was the man in the ditch a Jew?  Seems like it.  As Jerry Camery-Hoggatt told us, it is as if Jesus set out a rug on the ground, kindly asked the lawyer to stand on it, then swiftly pulled the rug out from underneath him.  Fell for it.

"Which one of these three, do you think, proved neighbor to the man who fell among thieves?"  The lawyer swallows the frog in his throat, but still cannot bring himself to say, "Samaritan."  Instead, he says, "the one who showed mercy on him."

Yes.  Now go do likewise. Do.  Jesus raised an emotion in the hearers that they did not like, with a mere word, "Samaritan."  They hated the Samaritans.  But He says, "Do likewise."  On top of raising emotions Jesus says to let this lead you to action.  Do not stop at theological debate/reflection, let it change your actions.  And.  You shall inherit eternal life.

By the way. Go back and read the whole story.  Read a clause at a time, a phrase at a time, read each consecutive word.  Keep your thoughts at bay of what happens at the end of the story and let the emotions flow as you read the entrapment Jesus sets up for the lawyer.  Then, go and do likewise.  I'll try too.