Found only in Luke 10:25-37 we have the parable of the Good Samaritan. Jesus tells a questioner that we are to love our neighbors as ourselves. Jesus is then asked, “Who is our neighbor?” Jesus answers with the story about the Good Samaritan. We all know the story of how a man is robbed and after other people have passed him by finally the Samaritan stops and helps him. But what is the significance of the Samaritan helping the Jew.
Shortly after the reign of Solomon, around 900BCE, Solomon’s son Rehoboam, through politics and poor judgement brings about the division the realm and the country is split in the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah.
About 180 years later Assyria invaded Israel in 722BCE. Following their victory the Assyrians gathered the Jewish leaders, the educated, the skilled craftsmen, the priest and scribes and relocated them across their vast empire stretching to the edges of China and India. Their reasoning, if they could not meet to develop a retaliation plan to take back Israel, then a retaliation would never happen. The Assyrians were correct and the ten tribes of the Jews disappeared. The Jews who were removed, were replaced with Assyrians who ran the country. There were probably ¾ of the original population remaining in Israel to provide labor and work the land. These Jews continued to practice their old religion, the best they could, even constructing a temple on Mount Gerizim for worship and sacrifice.
About 125 years later Babylon defeated the Assyrians, and invaded Judah in 598/7 BCE. The third deportation of Jewish leadership to place in 587BCE. At this point nearly 1/3 of the population, Jewish leaders, educated, skilled craftsmen, priest and scribes were removed from Judea and settled along the Chebar River in towns and villages near the city of Babylon. They were allowed to farm and provide other forms of labor. Many became wealthy. Because they were settled together the priests and the scribes were able to use their knowledge, study their scriptures, and to reinterpret their theology. It was during this exile that most of the Old Testament was evaluated, edited and in some cases rewritten.
About 50 years later Cyrus the Great with is Persian army defeated the Babylonians in 539BCE. He encouraged the Jews to return to their homeland to rebuild their temple and religion.
What the returnees discovered was the Samaritans, in the former Israel, who had been without Jewish leadership and guidance for nearly 200 years. Thee Samaritans had developed a religion they called Judaism, which did not resemble what had been developed by the Judeans during the Babylonian exile.
This brought about a hatred between the two people which only grew during the 500 years until Jesus’ time. And so, when asked who is our neighbor, Jesus replies with a story of a Samaritan who helps a Jew. We are all neighbors, and need to treat each other with kindness, concern and respect.
Join us for our July 13th Worship Service.
photo: July 6th, Praise Team and Musicians
Gathering Music: Christina Eiler
"Amazing Grace: My Chains Are Gone"
"Who Am I"
Announcements: Chris Buchanan
Call To Worship: Pastor Bob Ramo
Songs of Praise: Praise Team
"Cornerstone"
"What A Beautiful Name"
Congregational Prayer: Pastor Bob
Scripture: Pastor Ron Urzua
Luke 9:37-43 / Mark 17:19-21
Message: Pastor Ron
"Does My Life Still Make Demons Uncomfortable"
Dedication of Offerings: Yvette Herrera
Doxology: Praise Team
Closing Hymn: Praise Team
"I Thank God"
Blessing: Pastor Ron
Ron Urzua, Pastor
Bob Ramos and Rob Schleef, Commissioned Lay Pastors
Music Director: Aleeya Flores
Accompanist: Christina Eiler
121 Davis Street Santa Paula, California
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