Evening star., 1924-11-29
Sunday School Lesson

neighbour" He recognized tnat there
was a wide difference between what
Jesus taught and his own views OF
social duty. Probably he and the
Tews of that hour looked upon Il
neighbor from the standpoint of near
ness OF region, race and religion. 10
them neighbor was largely a per-
son of Hebrew speech and sympathy.
1t was not possible under the cir
cumstances to answer the lawyer s
question with a word, but the Mas
ter's reply presented in the story
Of tho Good Samaritan" the whole
outline of His social program.
The parable was 50 true to life that
it drove home its own moral. 1t does
not require any expositor to make
clear that Jesus sought by it to
remove the limitations men had
placed upon Gods law. He lifted the
barriers Of country and creed, as He
traced the germinal principle OF hu-
man brotherhood, which is the foun-
dation of many of our modern fra
tcrnlties and charities. His emphasis
upon the universally Of human duty
contained 10 spirit Of reciprocity or
limitation Of personal responsibility
to help the needy.
Our Neighbor.
X
borhood by his illustrations that
where sympathy and compassion 40
eagerly IN response to need there, and
there, only, is neighborly action. lie
transformed ncighbor from uearness
+! to a spirit of service for others. The
world has applauded the sympa thy,
| approach, contact, ministration, self
sacrifice. hospitality, care and pro-
vision Of the Samaritan, who was
probably commercial traveller. They
have condemned the cold indifference
of the men who We're ConSecrateG to
hoIp and aid the poor and weak.
| There is no word of criticism in the
Masters words concerning the atti-
/ tude OF the bcyitc and priest who
passed by the suffering one. They
have been rightly coupled ever since
, with the robbers az supporters OF
wrong in this world" christ con-
demns all who will hot help Him in
His battles for human benefit as
friends OF Satan and foes Of their
brothers and ncighbors.
Travelling over that dangerous road
to Jericho one meets many historical
places that recall the boldness OF
Jesus. who pictured the indifference
of these servants of the temple in
contrast with that Of dcpised Samari-
tan, who. although the wounded man
was n Jew. did not hesitate 70 ac-
, knowledge His obligation to aid the
! unfortunate victim. lie surveyed
with the thoroughuess of a business
] man the conditions, and responded Il
them IN such a spirit and service that
I His deeds have been an inspiration
! to men of all races, faiths and fra
tcrnit.cs
Christ calls for Us TO carry the
spirit but not the method Of the Sa-
maritan into our social service. Jesus
| placed His stamp OF approval upon
! that kind Of philanthropy that does
( not attempt 10 substitute gifts foI
social Improvements IN place of re-
! ligious duty. The true philanthropist
has tho source of his social service in
I his love for God, who requires him 70
prove his love for the Lurd Jesus by
Iif" of social service. Christ came
I His life q ransom for many" livery
( one who desires to emulate the lord 8
Example and His teachings Will find
! in tho parable OF the good Samari-
| tam a revelation OF what Jesus would
| have all His followers 90. Our Lord
desires that we will prove our love
| for Him in a life Of social service
| that Is free from the spirit OF racial
! or religious prejudice. There is only
| one test, and that is the need Of in
| dividuals. Where We can IN any way
! help others, If We love Christ. We vii
! prove il by helping the needy.