A BIBLE TEACHING ON RACISM!

"THE STORY OF THE BENEVOLENT TRAVELER." 

LUKE 10:25-37 - AS I UNDERSTAND IT.

And, behold, a certain lawyer (an expert on Jewish Law) stood up, and tempted (tried to expose Jesus as an imposter) Him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit (an odd question since an inheritance is not earned) eternal life?   Jesus said unto him, What is written in the Law?  How readest thou (how do you interpret it)?  And the lawyer answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself (treat others like you want to be treated).
  
[Note:  It is impossible for mere human beings to be 100% perfect - Paul wrote said as much in Galatians 2:16!]

And He said unto him, Thou hast (you have) answered right:  this do, and thou shalt live.  But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor?  And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment (clothing), and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.  And by chance there came down a certain priest (religious leader among the Jews) that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.  And likewise a Levite (another religious Jew), when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.  But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was:  and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.  And on the morrow (the next day) when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more (whatever additional cost there is), when I come again, I will repay thee.

[Note:  Samaritans were hated by the Jews, and since Jesus was answer the question of a Jew, to make him the hero of the story was accomplishing two things:  the Jews were unloving and therefore Law-breakers; and, the racism against Samaritans was being challenged!]

Which now of these three, thinkest thou (do you think), was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves?  And he said, He that showed mercy on him (it must have taken every ounce of strength he had to admit that a Samaritan was more Law-abiding than the priest and the Levite).  Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

HATRED OF ONE RACE BY ANOTHER RACE,

REGARDLESS OF THE RACES INVOLVED, 

IS UNACCEPTABLE, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE

CLAIMING TO BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST!