The Letter Kills, but the Spirit Gives Life (2 Cor. 3:6)

Please Read Luke 10:25-37.

A lawyer is trying to outwit Jesus. In their discussion they both agree that eternal life is all about loving God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind,; and loving your neighbor as yourself. Being a good lawyer he asks Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?". It is at this point that Jesus shares the story of the Good Samaritan.

A man was going walking from Jerusalem to Jericho and was assaulted by
robbers. They stripped him, beat him, and left him "half dead".
Along comes a priest. Upon seeing the man the priest passes him on the
other side of the road. Next comes a Levite. The Levites
function in a similar fashion as do priests. He also passes on the
other side. Next comes a Samaritan. The Samaritans and Jews
hate each other. They avoid one another as much as possible.
From early childhood they are taught that the other is evil and dangerous.

However this Samaritan is moved with pity for the victim. He touches
him, bandaging his wounds and giving him medicine. Then he places the
victim on his own animal, forcing him to walk, and takes him to a
caretaker. He pays out of his own pocket for in-patient care for this man.
Jesus asks the lawyer, "Which of these three, do you think was a
neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?" The lawyer
said, "The one who showed him mercy". Jesus said to him, "Go and do
likewise". do likewise."

This is a famous story, yet the aspect that most interests me is one that I rarely hear mentioned. The two men who pass the victim by are simply obeying scripture! That is right. They are clergy. They are heading into town, most likely to perform some duties. They see this man who was left for "half dead". They would have no way of knowing if he were dead or not. Why does this matter? Because according to the book of Numbers 19:13 "All who touch a corpse ....and do not purify themselves defile the tabernacle of the LORD; such persons shall be cut off from Israel". Throughout the centuries these two men have been portrayed as villains, when all they were doing was obeying scripture.

Jesus, however, teaches that showing kindness and mercy to the victim is what God wants, not obedience to scripture. These scriptures are not bad. Purity laws helped to keep ancient communities from spreading disease. However times and circumstances change. Jesus points to the Spirit of the law rather than the letter. Do you ever find yourself facing a choice between goodness and scripture? In my opinion the rights of homosexuals to marry is one of these examples. Of course, you have to decide for yourself. When faced with a conflict between the letter of scripture and the law of love, do what Jesus teaches. Choose kindness. As he says to the lawyer, "Go and do likewise".