Luke 10:25-37

We all like travel stories

Shows like Bear Grills Man Vs Wild

tamer ones like Getaway

exotic locations with their quirky challenges in The Amazing race

Or food shows like Shane Delia’s Spice Journey in Turkey or Food Safari

Or even the food challenges of Hamish & Andy

The more exotic and interesting the location is all the better

            The spectacular landscapes and cultures we get to see

We crave difference

They catch our attention

Whether it’s eating the locals idea of a delicacy

like eating sheep’s eyes or fried tarantula’s

or the thrill of watching someone’s misadventure of like crossing a gorge on two single ropes  with a 100 foot drop below

there’s even the remarkable experience

of travelling in the footsteps of someone else

just like today I want you to put yourself in someone else’s shoes

come on the journey with them

listen in a travel story Jesus told

as he set out from Galilee through Samaria to Jerusalem

where he intends to celebrate the Passover with his disciples and then face being crucified

Samaria was hostile country for Jesus

            It was a dangerous journey of about 100 kms

                        A 3 to 5 day journey by foot or donkey

It was place where bandits attacked pilgrims on their way to or from Jerusalem

As well as the long held animosity between the Jews and Samaritans

            With several generations of bad blood and rivalry

here in Luke’s gospel

on this journey with his disciples to Jerusalem

Jesus speaks with them about what’s required for them

Look at your life Jesus tells us

As he come at us with ordinary stories about everyday life

the story we’re about to hear is a story about choice

            about the choices we make everyday

which is the thing about Jesus that compels me

            that when I really listen to these parables