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Speaker 1: My brothers don't hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ of Glory with partiality. James two to one. Dear Lord, today we thank you for not showing partiality or prejudice. The love you displayed on the cross broke walls of race, culture, and creed. You came to save the world. Through you, every nation is blessed. We pray that you would give us open hearts to those different from us. May backgrounds or small preferences never stop us from showing your love. We want to be people of faith, blessing those around us, with no strings attached or signs of favoritism. When our biases come up, renew our minds and remind us of the acceptance offered to everyone who calls upon your name. In your mighty name, we pray Amen, thank you for praying with me today. You're listening to the Jesus Podcast, prepare to immerse yourself in a dramatic retelling of Christ's most iconic parables. Follow this podcast on whatever platform you're listening to. Doing so will keep you updated, but also help us get discovered by more people. We want the story of Jesus to be known throughout the world. Thanks for making that possible. The young lawyer was meandering around the outskirts of Judea. He enjoyed bouncing from small town to small town, attending synagogues and debating with the local teachers. This hobby was innocent, since he was on a quest for knowledge. He was most fulfilled when intellectually stimulated and sought the greatest challenges the law of God had to offer. Many people. Matthias eager to watch him debate the scriptures and the philosophical quandaries of the universe. So when he had heard Jesus was in the region, he could not help but fantasize about speaking with him. Jesus was walking in the outer region of Judea. As he was tending to the needs of the people, the young lawyer approached him. He held himself with the arrogant glow of a student. There was an unearthed confidence exuding from him. His cocky posture was showcased in stark contrast to Jesus' humble position. As he mended a woman's broken foot. He approached Jesus with a crowd of eager patrons behind him. Jesus smiled at the young man and greeted him. The young lawyer went straight for his question, ready to engage Jesus in a discussion for the ages.
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Speaker 2: Teacha, how shall I inherit eternal life?
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Speaker 1: He asked, allowing the crowd behind him to prepare themselves. Jesus stood to his feet and wiped his hands on his robe. They were dirty from working with the people all day. He looked at the crowd, then walked over to a bucket of water nearby to wash his face. Well, Jesus began with a sigh and a smile.
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Speaker 2: What does it say in the law you've read the law?
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Speaker 1: Asshome, The young lawyer was jumpy to answer, ready to begin this discussion with Jesus.
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Speaker 2: You shall love the Lord, your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
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Speaker 1: The lawyer replied. Brilliant, Jesus exclaimed, with a clap of his hands.
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Speaker 2: Very good. Do these things, and you shall live into eternity.
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Speaker 1: Jesus waved and turned back to another person in need of healing. The lawyer stopped him, annoyed that he could not keep jesus attention.
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Speaker 2: Wait a second, Jesus, I'm not finished with my question.
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Speaker 1: The young man was eager for a challenge, desperate for an intellectual equal. Jesus glanced at the young man and sat down. He gestured for him to continue his question.
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Speaker 2: What are the boundaries of who we consider our neighbor? Scripture is unclear who is worthy of love and who isn't. Certainly that varies from person to person.
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Speaker 1: The lawyer retorted it was a common question of the day, a question that certainly needed an answer. People often wondered who they needed to love and who they were allowed to ignore. Jesus sighed and shook his head. He looked up to the young lawyer and gestured for him to sit beside him. He then motioned for the crowd to come in close and listen. Jesus began a story for the lawyer. It became a parent that this would not be a conversation, but a lesson.
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Speaker 2: Let me tell you a story about a merchant traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho.
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Speaker 3: Who is our neighbor? Who is worthy of our respect and our love? The people who agree with us, the people who vote like us, The people who look like us, act like us, talk like us. While the world teaches tribalism, Jesus offers a different perspective on who is worthy of our love and respect. Welcome to another episode of the Jesus Podcast. I'm Zach frompray dot Com. You're humble host and guide through these epic stories of redemption and transformation. We're beginning a new mini series today through the Parables of Jesus. For the next twenty episodes, we will be swept away and dramatic retellings of Jesus's most iconic parables. These stories go into more detail than Jesus gave obvious. We'll give these characters names and follow them as they learn timeless lessons. Through storytelling grounded in scripture, we hope to gain a deeper appreciation for the truth of Christ's parables and enrich our own faith for the mission ahead. Today's story is part one of the Parable of the Good Samaritan. Jesus gave us this story to answer the profound question who is my neighbor. It's a simple question at first glance, but it's packed with commentary on how humans split and divide into tribes in different groups. Another way of asking our question is this, who can I trust and who deserves my kindness? I don't think I'm going out on a limb by saying our culture seems pretty divided at the moment. We live in a world ripped apart by tribalism. The world wants to categorize all of us into groups based on race, economic status, cultural background, or political party. Even the Church tends to be divided by culture and denomination. Categorizing people helps us to figure out who's safe and who isn't. But defining people by their group is a slippery slope, isn't it. Let's dive into the story of the Good Samaritan narrated by Jesus. We'll meet a man named Ezra who wrestles with some preconceived notions about a specific group of people. He's going to be taken on a journey to answer the profound question who is my neighbor?
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Speaker 2: The streets of Jerusalem were alive and bustling with people buying and selling. Ezra weaved through the busy marketplace looking for a few final things before returning to Jericho. He stopped at a vendor selling dried figs and dates. The sweet smell of fig cakes wafted in from behind the cart. Shalom, how much for a sack of dates and three fig cakes, Ezra asked the merchant. The portly man stroked his beard for a moment, then smiled.
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Speaker 4: Oh, for a fine young man like yourself, one and a half denarius. I'll even throw in a fresh fig plucked straight from the orchard this morning.
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Speaker 2: You're very kind, Ezra replied, as he retrieved the coins from his purse strap to his side. I'm traveling home to Jericho today. We don't have figs like these here in Jerusalem.
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Speaker 4: The road between Jerusalem and Jericho is dangerous. My friend, be sure to travel by day and with a group. I've had vendors lose hundreds of denaris worth of goods to robbers and bandits.
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Speaker 2: I wish there was an alternative route, but I have no choice. Thank you for your kindness and the cakes. Before Ezra left, a man approached the cart beside him. He was tall, broad shouldered, and carried a large pack strapped to his back. The colors of his tunic were distinct, with the patterns revealing the tribe he was born from. This man wasn't a Jew, nor was he a gentile. No, he was something worse.
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Speaker 4: Do you have any reason cakes for sale? I will be traveling in the road.
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Speaker 1: Is always better with something the sweet.
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Speaker 2: His accent was unmistakable. This man was a Samaritan. Ezra immediately clutched his purse and furrowed his brow in disgust. The vendors kind and jolly demeanor shifted, his jaw clenched and his chest puffed out.
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Speaker 4: I don't sell to samaritan dogs, go and muddy up someone else's business.
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Speaker 2: There was a long pause from the Samaritan. He stood there, keeping Ezra in anxious suspense. What was he going to do next? Would he flip over the cart? Would he curse the vendor and steal his goods? Ezra thought of bolting, but the Samaritan left with a sigh. The man watched the Samaritan leave and shook his head.
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Speaker 4: Worse than gentiles, those Samaritans. You better watch yourself on the roads. The trail to Samaria cuts through the road to Jericho. Be safe, my friend.
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Speaker 2: The vendor gave Ezra the rest of change and an extra fig for the road. Ezra a bowed his head and departed, watching for that samaritan. Ezra gathered everything he needed for his journey to Jericho. He passed the city gates, walking down a small path switched back to the base of the road. A large well was dug there for travelers to stop and drink. Ezra waited a while, hoping a group would arrive for him to travel with, but nobody came. Eventually, the same samaritan from the marketplace traveled down the trail with his donkey. Ezra gulped and suddenly wished he had brought some sort of protection. The man arrived at the well and drew some for himself and the donkey. He made himself comfortable unloading a few supplies. He was going to be there for a while. Ezra's eyes shifted from the samaritan to the road. I'd rather take my chances with the road alone than be here with this samaritan, he thought to himself. There's no telling what this man is capable of. Ezra darted for the road. A few paces in he saw another traveler strolling in the same direction. Ezra tightened the straps on his pack and waved towards him. Sir, would I be able to accompany you on the road, he asked, nervously, looking back at the samaritan. The stranger gave him a pleasant and warm smile. Oh of course, my boy, he said with a friendly voice. He looked back at the Samaritan and whispered, there's no telling who you're run into on the road. Best to stay together. I'm grateful, Ezra replied with a sigh of relief. He looked back at the well. The Samaritan glanced over at them, face stoic and unreadable. He gave a nervous smile and followed his new friend on the road. I am Ezra. You may call me Zebel, the stranger replied, is Jericho where you call home? Jerusalem is my home, but I travel often to and fro from Jericho for er business. A smile curled up the man's narrow face. My business associates are ahead of me. I had to stay behind to settle some impersonal matters. But with luck, you'll catch up to them before the sunset, and they travel slow. The more the merrier, Ezra said, glancing back at the well. The Samaritan was still resting there. Ezra hoped he wouldn't see him again. The two traveled for a few hours, exchanging small talk and discussing trivial matters like the weather, the sun was suspended firmly in the middle of the sky, oftering no mercy against Ezra's neck. The road was untouched by the Romans, meaning it was unkept and littered with holes. The unsteady ground strained his knees and back, and the sun's relentless rays made the trek even more draining. The two men arrived at a decline with the road narrowed between two drop offs. On the one side of the road was a jagged hill, on the other a dried creek bed of rocks and withered moss. Zevil gestured to a small path breaking off beside the mountain. Ah, here it is, This is how will catch up to my friends before dusk. Zevil pivoted and began walking down the path. Isra paused and scanned his surroundings. He wasn't sure veering off the path was a good idea Zevel looked back and smiled, Come, come, This is the shortcut I always use when I'm not with a large group. It cuts right through the canyon and meets back out at the main road. Ezra looked behind him, wondering if the Samaritan would catch up soon. Then he looked forward. The blistering sun still covered the road, but Zevel's shortcut was shaded by the canyon. Lead the way, Ezra said nervously. Zevel smiled and continued. They scaled down the steep, jagged path until they were entirely covered by shade. It was a pleasant break for Ezra. Once they were hidden in the shadows, Zevil's pace quickened. Ezra tried to keep up, but lost sight of Zebel around the corner. White up, Ezra called out. He turned the corner, only to be punched in the jar and fall to the dirt. He looked up. A large man stood over him with a rope tied around his fist. Another man, shorter but wider, approached with a heavy stick. Behind them was Zebl, wearing a menacing smile. Zevil, what are you doing? Oh ah ah oo, oh ah ah oh Israel, forgive me for not introducing you. These are the business associates I was telling you about. Turns out they weren't too far ahead of us after all. Ezra leaped to his feet and tried to run, but the shorter man struck him in the back with his stick. He fell face first in the dirt and winced in pain. The taller man lifted Ezra by his tunic and punched him in the ribs before throwing him against the stones. They ripped his pack from him, removing his purse, and began beating him senseless. Isra shouted for help, but nobody heard his cries. He begged for mercy, but there was no room in Zebhyl's corrupt heart. They beat Ezra in such a way that he hoped to die. The pain was unbearable, and each moment felt like a lifetime. He felt his bones break, he felt his ribs crack, He felt all the strength in his arms leave him as he desperately pulled away. Finally, the men stopped, not out of mercy, but because the job had been done. Zebel took one of the fig cakes out of the pack and took a bite. With his mouth full. He patted Ezra on the head and said, thanks for the lunch, by friend. I pray you'll find your way safely back to Jericho. Watch out for the Samaritans out there. The three men chuckled and escaped back into the shadows. Ezra lae there, bones cracked and muscles bruised. His face was swollen and bloody beyond recognition. Every breath brought a sharp pain shooting through his lungs. With every ounce of strength he had left, he dragged himself around the corner, desperately trying to get back to the road. He made it to the bottom of the hill, but it took everything out of him. He propped himself up on one of the rocks, straining to get back up, but his strength failed and he slipped back. He hit his head on the ground below. The sun's harsh rays was seated behind the hills. The cool bite of night whistled in through the canyons. Ezra lay there, slowly losing consciousness. He looked up at the road, so close, yet so far. Finally, as the sun descended over the hills, Ezra fell asleep. I'm shore if he would awake the next morning.
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Speaker 3: Did you notice Ezra's preconceived notions flipped upside down? As it turns out, he couldn't trust someone just because they looked like him or came from the same place as him. The person Ezra thought he could trust ended up being his enemy. That's the danger we find ourselves in when we judge people based on their group and not by them as individuals, the character, the heart, the inward man. Here's a timeless truth for us, spoken by the Lord to Samuel when he was choosing a king. First. Samuel sixteen seven says, but the Lord said to Samuel, do not look at his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord does not see as man sees. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. In other words, looks can be deceiving on the outside. This man that we named Zavool seemed harmless. He looked like Ezra, came from the same place as Ezra, and spoke like him. But Zavool was a wolf in sheep's clothing. The culture we come from, the family we are raised in, or the nationality we claim, doesn't define us as a whole. It doesn't define us as much as the substance of our hearts. Christ came to unify people from different backgrounds, statuses, and cultures. The early Church, led by Paul and the other Apostles, was the first movement where slaves and masters sat together as equals, Jews and gentiles worked and worshiped side by side. Former priests and prostitutes prayed together. Regal Greeks and sloppy barbarians exchanged conversations about life per heaven. I want to share this beautiful passage from Aphesians two with you, and I think it beautifully illustrates this point. Aphiesians two fourteen through twenty two says this, for Jesus is our peace, who has made the two groups one, and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law, with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity of the two, thus making peace and in one body, to reconcile both them to God and the cross by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away, in peace to those who were near, For through him we both have access to the Father by one spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people, and are also members of his household. Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Jesus Christ himself as the chief cornerstone. In him, the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple. In the Lord and in Him. You two are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his spirit. Amen. Jesus came to break down two different types of walls. The first wall was between us and God. He made away by his sacrifice on the Cross for us to be unified with God. The Bible says that we were once alienated and hostile from God, but we've been brought near and we've been called children of God now. But the second wall of barrier that God came to break down is the walls between people groups. Through Salvation and Christ, we get to have access in peace with God where it didn't exist. We're no longer enemies with Him but beloved children, and now all of those who call themselves children of God get to enjoy unity and an unbreakable bond. Here at prey dot com, we are blown away that we have listeners from the United States, the Philippines, Mexico, Uganda, Japan, and Germany. Each and every one of you are bonded by something that transcends borders, culture, creed. Where you in Christ. Paul said that there is neither June, nor Greek slave, nor free male nor female. The labels that previously divided us don't matter anymore. All that matters now is how your hearts have been transformed by Christ and how we are all collectively upwardly reaching towards Him. In our next episode, Ezra is going to learn that hard but beautiful lesson the people he expects to help him won't help at all, but the person he lea suspects to give him aid will come to his rescue. Join us tomorrow for part two of The Good Samaritan. If you've been enjoying this podcast, be sure to leave us a review and download the Prey dot com app for more epic devotionals, sermons, and stories to give you wisdom and enricher faith forever