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Where do we see Christ?
Daniel Lee
In Luke 10:25-37, Jesus gave a parable in talking with an expert in the law. A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest and a Levite passed by him, but a Samaritan bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Traditionally this story is called "the parable of the good Samaritan" because its purpose is to emphasize the love for wounded neighbor. This passage requires us to be a Good Samaritan now in this world. However, this is not enough.
If we change the title of the story into “the parable of the robbed and dying man,” we can find a more positive meaning. In this title, the focus is not on the Samaritan but on the robbed man. The robbed man has played the role of Christ for the Samaritan, because the Samaritan was changed by the robbed man into a true human being who could go to him and heal him. In this context, the Samaritan was saved by the robbed man. The robbed man performed a function of Christ. Who are the robbed and dying people today? Who are those who suffer the most severely today? Where do we see Christ today? As in this parable, we find Christ in the oppressed, the poor, and the sick. Our faith and salvation is possible only through them. Our concern for healing them and the world is the key for making our faith today. Only our practice for peace and justice can heal our world. That is the true meaning of mission today.
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Daniel Lee serves with the Presbyterian Church of the Republic of Korea (PROK), South Korea. He serves as chaplain at Hanshin Graduate School. His appointment is made possible by your gifts to Disciples' Mission Fund, Our Church's Wider Mission and your special gifts.
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