As a small child I remember hearing my father say, "Your past cannot be allowed to dictate your future." I do not remember why he said this but the words have always stuck with me. In fact, I have repeated this often through my life to others and to myself. In many ways this was the message of Jesus, and even this reading reflects this sage advice.
The expert of the law really was not asking for instruction as much as he was testing Jesus. Jesus then relays to the expert exactly that his past could not dictate his future. The expert in the law as Jesus was aware that being an expert in the law he could in no way come in contact with blood lest he become unclean. The expert would then have to undergo the cleansing rituals laid down by God to Moses. The expert in the law would look upon the man robbed and beaten and simply pray, he would take no direct action fearing becoming unclean by the victim's blood. Jesus relays the expert in the law was putting ritual above human life.
Samaritans and Jews at the time of Jesus were bitter enemies. A Samaritan helped the man where the Jewish expert did not, and even a Levite did not. The message is clear, Jewish priests and Levite put the law above humanity and for Jesus this had to change. There had to be responsibility for humanity above the mindless following of law.
For the Jews of Jesus' age the message was not to let the past traditions and rituals to dictate their relationship with God. This message was met with resistance toward Jesus and His followers,and even was used to put Jesus to death. For us today the message is to put aside past hurts, fears, and rivalries and to see all as our neighbors deserving of respect. The reason is clear, all of us are children of the Father. We are to "go and do likewise".
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