Interpreting Jesus's Parable of the Good Samaritan, Pt. 1

At the end of our previous episode, we were left with several questions: Why did the law expert insert himself into Jesus’s kingdom conversation with his disciples? Why did the law expert suddenly need to vindicate himself, especially after Jesus affirmed his correct answer to his first question? What is going on with the characters in this story Jesus shared?  How does this story address what’s going on with the law expert?  And finally, what is Jesus’s answer to the law expert’s question “Who is my neighbor?” Now as we turn to interpret Jesus's parable, and as possible answers to these questions emerge, we will see how Jesus sought to challenge his listener, and us as well. This is the first of a two-part interpretation episode.