The Samaritans: Why the Jews hated them & How Jesus Dealt with it

Rev. Paul J. Miller – Sermon Outline – May 6, 2018

Series Title: What if no one would help you but your enemy? - The Good Samaritan

Today’s Title: The Samaritans: Why the Jews Hated them & How Jesus Dealt with it

Today’s Text: Luke 10:25-37

 

Animosity toward Samaritans in the Gospels:

-              “Samaritan” was an insult – John 8:48

-              The disciples shared in the hatred – Luke 9:51-56

 

Where did this animosity come from?

-              931 BC - Israel is divided into 2 kingdoms (1 Kings 12:21-24)

-              900 BC - A city named Samaria is built (1 Kings 16:24)

-              Samaria becomes the capital of Israel (1 Kings 16:29)

-              870 BC – False gods worshipped in Samaria (1 Kings 16:31-33)

-              Israel never had a godly king and never turned from idols

-              723 BC - Israel is attacked by Assyria, ending the northern kingdom (2 Kings 17:24-41)

-              586 BC - The Babylonian captivity of Judah (2 Kings 25)

-              516 BC - Jews return to Jerusalem to start the city and its wall. Samaritans oppose this rebuilding. (Ezra 4:6-16 & Neh. 4:1-3)

-              330 BC (?) – Under Alexander the Great a temple is built at Mt. Gerizim thought to be a holy place the place (Deuteronomy 27:12)

-              127 BC - A Jewish priest leads the destruction of the Gerizim temple

-              All along, the Samaritans thought of themselves as Jews

 

The Samaritan Woman at the Well – John 4

-              Jesus breaks numerous social norms

-             The big issue between their peoples (John 4:19-20)

-              Jesus doesn’t take sides, no “us vs. them” (John 4:21-22)

-              Jesus is inclusive and equalizing (John 4:23-24)

 

The Thankful Samaritan Leper – Luke 17:11-19

 

The church goes to Samaria (Acts 1:8, 8:4-25, 9:31 & 15:3)

 

Where is your Samaria? Who are your Samaritans? (be honest with yourself about this)

If you substitute one of “those” people into this parable in place of the Samaritan, how does that change the story for you?