In Luke’s Gospel, Luke was writing after carefully researching the ministry of Jesus of Nazareth for the explicit purpose providing a consecutive order of events so that Theophilus would know the “exact truth” of the things he was taught; this goal is clearly stated in the prologue (Luke 1:1-4 NASB). In his writing, Luke recorded many parables, which are extended similes that are easy to remember. Of these, perhaps one of the most renowned is the parable of the Good Samaritan, which is located in Luke 10 just after the sending out and joyful return of the 72.

It is imperative to be considerate of the immediate context of the parable; v25-37 records Jesus communicating to an expert in the Law who, “stood up and put Him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?’ (NASB, v25).” Interestingly, after being questioned by Jesus, the lawyer gives a correct answer; he appropriately responds to his own question with scripture (Deut 6:5; Lev 19:18). Darrell Bock comments, “The lawyer is confused, even though his answer is correct, because he still thinks that eternal life is earned rather than received in the context of a love relationship with God.” However, as we soon learn, just because the Pharisee transmitted the right reply didn’t mean that his heart and life had been transformed to be right before God. (Luke, 197)

In His brilliance, Jesus exposed a profound dimension of the heart by telling the famous parable. Grant R. Osborne discusses the provocative dynamic of this teaching device by noting that parables communicate in such a way that is, “indirect and demands that the hearer react. It does not appeal to the mind as much as the whole person.” (Hermeneutical Spiral, 293)
The heart of the parable could be in part postured towards the corrupt religious establishment who were rejecting the person and ministry of Christ. Luke indicates that is not only is Jesus being questioned, but by an expert in the law who already has the “right” answer, thus showing his curiosity wasn’t necessarily genuine. When the question is refined, we see the lawyer want to know what the bare minimum is to be neighborly and still be accepted by God. Bock comments further, “In fact, the parable turns the whole question around. The lawyer asks who his neighbor is in the hope that some people are not. Jesus replies, ‘Just be a neighbor whenever you are needed, and realize that neighbors can come from surprising places.’” (Luke, 197)

Jesus then goes on to tell a story casting a priest and Levite in a negative light. The two that would be expected to be compassionate refused to help (perhaps to avoid being ritualistically unclean) failed morally. By questioning His questioner and offering a counter story that would implicitly critique vague representatives of His opponents; Jesus was effectively establishing His teaching and silencing His antagonists.

What is more remarkable is that the character in the story who reflects a kingdom-centered heart is a lowly and despised Samaritan. Once again, Bock explains, “To love God means to show mercy to those in need. An authentic life is found in serving God and caring for others. This is a central tenet of discipleship. Here human beings fulfill their created role-to love God and be a neighbor to others by meeting their needs. Neighbors are not determined by race, creed or gender; neighbors consist of anyone in need made in the image of God.” (Luke, 199)

Telling this example story would’ve surely been a “reversal of expectations” or “an unexpected turn,” something Osborne signifies as common marks of parables (The Hermeneutical Spiral, 297). This disruption of widespread thinking patterns would be first of all surprising, it would secondly reveal what it practically looks like to love God, and finally it would imply even the esteemed teachers of the law were not truly righteous before God. By conveying these insights in a parable Jesus was able to be both understandable and indirect at the same time. Ergo, it was the content of His message that would confront His audience as they drew their conclusions while Jesus’ wise method enabled Him to be less abrasive and immune to the criticism of His enemies.

In short, the parable to the Good Samaritan is more than an impersonal and moralistic snippet intended to compel us to vague expressions of charity. In context, Jesus confronted the pride leaders of His day and taught about true discipleship. He implicitly, but effectively, showed how one who is knowledgeable can be puffed up (1 Cor. 8:1) instead of truly loving, that deeds removed from fully loving God are mere rags (Is 64:6), and that those with the right answers desperately need repentance, forgiveness, and humility.

With a historical viewpoint that is mindful of the literary genre, a modern reader can begin to grasp the challenging implications of the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

- Luke. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1994. Print.
-The Hermeneutical Spiral. 2nd Edition. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Print.

Friendship is born at the moment when one person says to another: “What! You too? I thought I was the only one.”

- C.S. Lewis

Here’s an excerpt:

I’m a self-soother. The Internet, DVR, Netflix, Twitter—all these things are moments in time throughout your day when you’re able to soothe yourself. We have an autonomy of comfort and pleasure. By the way, pornography? It’s a new synaptic pathway. You wake up in the morning, open a thumbnail page, and it leads to a Pandora’s box of visuals. There have probably been days when I saw 300 [naked girls] before I got out of bed.

… Internet pornography has absolutely changed my generation’s expectations. How could you be constantly synthesizing an orgasm based on dozens of shots? You’re looking for the one photo out of 100 you swear is going to be the one you finish to, and you still don’t finish. Twenty seconds ago you thought that photo was the hottest thing you ever saw, but you throw it back and continue your shot hunt and continue to make yourself late for work.

[Interviewer] How does that (porn) not affect the psychology of having a relationship with somebody?

It’s got to … I’m more comfortable in my imagination than I am in actual human discovery.

*I love Mayer’s music, by the way … not only does he tend to write some thoughtful lyrics, he is possibly one of the best guitarist of his generation. So, in the words of Ali G, “Yo, respek. Fo weel.”

Bounce your eyes…

Avoid her…

When you’re in her company, play the dweeb…

A dweeb is the opposite of a player. In relationships players send and receive social signals smoothly. Dweebs do not. When a player wants to send attraction signals, there are certain things he’ll do. He’ll flirt. He’ll banter. He’ll smile with a knowing look. He’ll talk about hip things. In short, he’ll be cool…

As a married man, however, a little social suicide is very much in order. Always play the dweeb. Players flirt…learn to un-flirt. Players banter…learn to un-banter. If a woman smiles with a knowing look, learn to smile with a slightly confused look, to un-smile. If she talks about things that are hip, talk about things that are un-hip to her, like your wife and kids. She’ll find you pleasant enough but rather bland and uninteresting. Perfect.

- Every Man’s Battle, p. 171

OR, as Paul says it in 2 Timothy 2:

20 In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. 21 If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work. 22 Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.

It is uber-important for those of us in relationships to not be selfish. When the me-first mindset takes hold, one of the first things that happens is that person A becomes unaware of the needs of person B. When person A learns of person B’s needs, person A will often see those needs as invalid because person A is the reference point and measure for basically everything.

And this can add up to gender warfare. Men scoffing at women, thinking that their differences make them inferior. Women scoffing at men, thinking their differences make them insensitive.

This the is gal who gets offended that her fella wants her to workout, thinking he’s shallow and not loving her for who she is. This is the guy who gets pissed that his lady wants more talks and hugs, thinking that she’s somehow weak or high maintenance. (Yes there are unhealthy, overbearing, and dependent relationships – I’m not talking about those)

Through some research I’ve done, I’ve come across a helpful summary of His Needs, Her Needs,  a book by clinical psychologist and author Dr. Willard Harley. Harley describes 5 ‘typical’ needs of a man and of a woman. May we be people who are both aware and humble enough to acknowledge the validity of the needs of our significant others.

Men

Sexual fulfillment

Recreational companionship

An attractive spouse

Domestic support

Admiration

Women

Affection

Conversation

Honesty and openness

Financial support

Family commitment

Well, I’m coming up on another year married to my best friend, I think that means we’re in it for the ‘long haul’…and oh, what a coincidence — “The Long Haul” is the name of a slick little short that I just stumbled upon; made with over 4,000 still pictures. Enjoy!

Stop Motion | The Long Haul from DUMAIS on Vimeo.

Today was a big day, the end of my internship. As I was driving home from school feeling relieved to wrap up all my hard work and responsibility, I realized that I had left something behind.

…a piece of my heart didn’t make it home with me, it stayed back at school with all those that I care deeply about. So, let me say just a few things:

First off, to the Viking students who happen to read this, (welcome to my blog!) I will miss y’all very much! For nearly a year we’ve been learning and sharing our lives together, which for me has been a thrill and an honor that no words could ever describe. I hope you’ve enjoyed and learned from thinking critically about our nation’s past. I hope US History was real and meaningful to you.

Secondly, feel free drop by here and comment whenever you feel like it…but know that I also want updates about you too — and don’t you forget that! Maybe I’ll see you around town or at sporting event.

And finally, may you know that your value and potential can’t even be measured! As young adults, take your role as friends, students, and citizens very seriously because the decisions you make now will shape you in ways you can’t even imagine.

All the best,

Justin (Mr. Detmers)

p.s.
Here is a live version of an Avett Brothers song about ending something good…enjoy.