What are you telling me person? Someone gave Jesus a test?
Did He pass with flying colors, or did He just get a B or a C?
I’ll listen, but first I want to know what grade Jesus got?
***
An expert in the law stood up to test Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Jesus asked the man what is written in the Law and the man answered “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
***
Wait a minute. Who did you say was giving the test?
I’m listening.
***
Then the man asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
***
If I’m his neighbor then he has to give me loves – and treats.
***
Jesus replied by telling a story.
***
I thought this already was a story.
***
Jesus said, “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.”
***
Can you hold the story, person? I’ve got to go after those robbers and give them what for.
Okay, I’ll listen.
***
“A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.”
***
Did anybody tell those people that they’re walking on the wrong side of the road? Somebody might come and run them over.
***
“But a Samaritan, as he travelled, came to where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.”
***
Weren’t the Samaritans those people that everybody hated?
Yeah, I thought so.
***
“The Samaritan went to the man and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine.”
***
I could have licked that man’s wounds. I bet that would have felt better than the wine.
Yes, I’m listening.
***
“Then the Samaritan put the man on his donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’”
Then Jesus asked, “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
***
I don’t think I’m ever going to give Jesus a test. He didn’t even take it – but he sure gave that other guy a test.
***
The expert in the law replied to Jesus, “The one who had mercy on him was the neighbor.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
***
Can I go now? I’ve still got to give those robbers what for.
bongodogblog 
marina kanavaki
September 8, 2013 at 10:55 am
Ah, Bongo, this one is a lesson you don’t have to take. You would do that anyway, wouldn’t you?!
🙂
Bongo
September 8, 2013 at 4:42 pm
Marina, I would for sure give those robbers what for – and then I’d come back and lick that guys owies.
stanze
September 8, 2013 at 1:44 pm
And you wouldn’t hate Samaritans anyways. Except maybe if they are foxes. ^^
Bongo
September 8, 2013 at 4:44 pm
Stanze, my person says I have to follow Jesus and he didn’t hate the Samaritans. Almost all the other Jews of his day did though. As long as they’re nice and give me loves (and maybe treats) I’ll like them.
angelswhisper2011
September 8, 2013 at 1:50 pm
If you need help, Bongo, count me in… I’m you neighbor 🙂
Bongo
September 8, 2013 at 4:44 pm
Little Binky, you’re a great neighbor. Let’s go give those robbers what for!
eripanwkevin
September 9, 2013 at 7:49 am
The priest and the Levite are not nice…….You have a lovely neighbor, Tobi, Bongo! 🙂
Bongo
September 9, 2013 at 12:12 pm
Kevin, you’re right about all those things. The priests and the Levites were supposed to be the upstanding citizens in Jewish culture of Jesus’ day, but they often only pretended to be upstanding. And Toby is a great neighor. I like hanging out with him on walks sometimes.
Roberta
September 9, 2013 at 12:01 pm
I watched a TED talk by a man from Israel who set up motorcycle ambulances because, in his work as an EMT, the full size ambulance was often too late to save the person. The motorcycles cut through traffic to stabilize the person until the full size ambulance can get there. They work in their neighborhoods, are volunteers, and arrive within 3 minutes. The Muslim community asked him to expand to their neighborhoods, too; he is all about saving lives, not measuring politics or religious belief. They are modern day good Samaritans – but giving what for is up to you, Bongo.
Bongo
September 9, 2013 at 12:21 pm
Roberta, that’s such a cool story. Especially since it is helping to bring the Jewish and Muslim communities together.
sandrabranum
September 12, 2013 at 12:00 am
I’ve got some chocolate wine I could share. Bet that’d make that wounded man feel better.
Bongo
September 13, 2013 at 9:20 pm
Sandra, I bet that wounded man would love the chocolate wine. Me, I’ll be happy with the chocolate – except my person won’t give me any.
colliesofthemeadow
September 13, 2013 at 5:56 pm
Bongo, hang on I will join you nad give those robbers what for… grrrr.. _ginger
Bongo
September 13, 2013 at 9:46 pm
Ginger, let’s go!