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How Jesus Treated the Samaritans and Lessons for Today

How Jesus Treated the Samaritans and Lessons for Today

The Samaritans are most likely the mixed remnants of the ten northern tribes of Israel and other groups conquered by the Assyrians in 722 BC.

According to Wikipedia, a small group of Samaritans numbering less than a couple thousand still persist today. They are considered by some in Israel to be Jews; by others, they are considered a separate group. They also have distinct beliefs from the Jews, some of which are:

  • They believe in only the first five books of the Bible, written by Moses, and in a different version of the book of Joshua.
  • They believe that the high priest Eli was a scammer and false priest who made a counterfeit ark of the covenant and created a false worship center at Shiloh to keep people from worshiping at the true center in Mount Gerizim.
  • They believe the messiah has not yet been born.
  • While they believe that the promised messiah would come through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, they do not believe he would come through Judah. Instead, they believe he will be a descendant of Joseph; this is likely because the Samaritans are thought to be descendants of Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh.
  • They believe that when their messiah, whom they call the Taheb, comes, he will be a prophet like Moses and prophesy/lead for 40 years; that he will bring all true Israelites back to the Promised Land, and then the resurrection will happen; that he will find the original tent of meeting constructed by Moses on Mt. Gerizim and then he will die and be buried on that mountain.
  • They observe the weekly Sabbath from Friday sunset to Saturday sunset and observe all the feast days described in Leviticus.
  • They have their own high priest.
  • They believe Mt. Gerizim is the most holy site.
  • Most important, this group, like the Jews, denies that Jesus Christ is the Messiah.

Most Jewish religious leaders through history, including in Christ’s day, believed that the Samaritan religion was a false one, a counterfeit of what God gave through Moses and His prophets.

While I agree with this conclusion, the question I want to ask today is: How did Jesus treat the Samaritans?

Did Jesus condemn them because they were caught up in a system of beliefs that were erroneous in many ways? Did Jesus refuse to present the truth to them because they had a different understanding of the Bible and the instructions contained in it?

What does Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan tell us regarding what Jesus thought about their divergent doctrines? In the story, there was the injured person and the Levite, Jewish priest, and Samaritan. Who did Jesus intend to convey was the one right with God? The Samaritan—yet He would also have agreed that the Samaritan held many erroneous doctrinal beliefs and failed to do the correct religious instructions, sacrifice in the right way, pay tithe to the right organization, etc. But how could the Samaritan be right with God while holding to erroneous doctrinal beliefs and doing the wrong religious activities?

Conversely, to the listening audience, the Levite and priest both would have been regarded as holding the correct doctrinal beliefs and engaging in the correct religious practices—paying tithe to the right organization, sacrifice in the right place and the right way, etc.—yet Jesus inferred that they were not right with God. How can it be that in their believing the right doctrines and doing the right behaviors, these men were not right with God?

Being Righteous

Well, what makes one right with God? The Bible is clear—it is being reborn to have fear and selfishness replaced with God’s law of love, to love God with all one’s being and others as oneself.

What about today? In your church organization, what has been the emphasis on what makes one right with God? Is it on believing the correct doctrines; paying tithe to the right organization; getting baptized in the right way, with the right words, by the right authorized person; doing communion in the right way; going to church on the right day; etc.?

Or is the emphasis on having a right heart attitude and living lives that demonstrate a love for God, others, and truth and, thus, have a willingness to be corrected and follow unfolding truth as our infinite God of truth reveals it to us? Didn’t the Samaritans embrace Jesus and the truth He revealed by asking Him to stay longer with them? (John 4:39–41). Their response revealed that their hearts were open to truth and were longing to advance in the truth.

But the Jewish leaders were hardened against truth because they were defending their own doctrinal beliefs, orthodoxy, and practices. The Bible describes those who are lost as not loving the truth—they love their religion, doctrines, ceremonies, and organization utmost, so they resist advancing truth that would call them to change their doctrines, ceremonies, and practices (2 Thessalonians 2:10).

Those who hold to doctrines and ceremonies often reject truth that would change their current beliefs or their religious practices—ending up as enemies of God and their fellow humans under the guise of being godly. We see this all through the Reformation as the orthodoxy police persecuted those advancing biblical truth.

What does Jesus’ attitude toward the Samaritans tell us about the things they and the Jews fought over? When the Samaritan woman at the well tried to raise such religious disputes, Jesus said:

Believe me, dear woman, the place where one worships God is not important; it is the condition of the heart of the worshiper that matters. Very soon, you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship a confusing tradition of rituals that does not enlighten the mind and have no ability to heal the worshiper; we worship the Creator God, and our minds are enlightened and healed by him because all he asks of us is sensible and reasonable. The plan to heal humanity from the infection of selfishness and sin is provided through the Jews. The time has now come that all true worshipers will worship the Father with an intelligent and reasonable understanding of who he is, respecting, admiring and loving the truth about his nature, character, and methods. These understanding worshipers are the kind the Father seeks. God is intelligent and reasonable, and his worshipers must worship him intelligently and reasonably, appreciating and valuing the truth of God’s methods and principles (John 4:21–24 REM).

What was it that the Samaritans needed? Was the saving message for the Samaritans different than what the Jews needed? What about the rest of the world?

That’s why Jesus said to His disciples:

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8 NIV84).

The true gospel message is the exact same message for every human being, whether Jew or gentile, black or white, free or slave, man or woman, for we are all suffering from the same sin-sickness and all need the same Remedy—Jesus Christ!

As a follower of Jesus Christ, look past the superficial—past race, past national origin, past denomination, past ritual and ceremony, past creed—and see reality for what it is. Every single human being born into the world is born infected with the terminal sin condition inherited from Adam and Eve (Psalm 51:5), and every single person needs the same healing Remedy of Christ. Let people know they are loved, valued, cherished, and that in Jesus, there is real healing for their hearts, minds, and souls. This is the message that the world needs. This is the truth that sets minds free. This is the truth that unites hearts in the bonds of eternal love.

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Testimony 11

I would love to have a copy of “Healing the Mind” DVDs to have in my therapy office. I enjoy having clients check out materials to enhance their therapy experience. I have sat under Dr. Jennings’ teaching at an American Association of Christian Counselors convention and respect his work greatly.

K.B., LA, USA

 

Testimony 51

I Love This Ministry!!!!!!! I see first hand how this message is desperately needed, how erroneous beliefs about God and His Character negatively affect humanity at every level. I thank God for your ministry, as I was searching on my own and was discovering some of your same beliefs and was blown away when I found your ministry. I know you hear it all the time, but it is truly life changing. May God continue to reveal His Will to you and Bless you!

Eric S., Sanford, FL, USA

 

Testimony 59

I’m a native Ghanan, but am currently in France for my master’s degree. Prior to this, during my final years at undergraduate studies in Ghana, I was introduced to your ministry and I’ve been immensely blessed by what you share, especially about the Design and Imposed Laws. God richly bless you for that.

One of the first things I did when I arrived in France was to buy all four of your books. They not only helped me, but those I shared them with. I shared the message with an atheist student and I marveled at how God worked mightily in his life. Today this person shares the Love of God with others and debunks theories of who God is not. I want to share what you present in your “Heavenly Sanctuary and Investigative Judgment” pamphlet, because the message brought rest to my soul and I live today as a healthy person.

God bless you so much and your ministry.

Michael A., Ghana

 

Testimony 38

Since November 2015, when I started studying Gods word from this God Is Love point of view, my life has been transformed. My troubled marriage of 15 years has been healed and my husband and I are truly happy for the first time in 15 years. Now When I read the word of God I understand it so much better and I can’t help but see Gods love radiating through the pages to humanity. Gods word is living and active and I am blessed beyond measure to be having this amazing experience. God has given me a beautiful understanding of Jn 3:16 that amazes me more and more each day. Thank you again for your ministry.

Helen D., London, England

 

Testimony 50

After coming into contact with Come And Reason Ministries, I can finally say that many of my unanswered questions have fallen into place. I discovered that my view of God’s Law was “imposed laws and rules” with “imposed punishments” and that this was the major culprit of my many unanswered questions. Thanks be to God for using you and those around you to help us who have struggled with this “infection” of thought. I have now rejected the “imposed law” concept to fully embrace “Design Law”… to look thru “Design Law,” instead of “imposed law,” is a relief.

Viliami L., Australia

 

Testimony 40

I was brought up in a different faith and have been petrified my whole life of God. I believed that I would burn in hell for eternity. When I was 12 I started pursuing the things of this world, but for the next 45 years the Spirit was always calling me, as I knew there was a God through nature. I could see the vast sea of stars in the universe and knew there was something bigger out there. Five years ago, through a Revelation seminar, I was blessed to learn about God’s character and government.

Then I found Come and Reason Ministries and have come under some extreme pressure when I speak about the ministry. One time a member sent me an internet article titled “Whats wrong with Tim Jennings?” I asked her what she thought of it and she said “I don’t know, I didn’t read it.”

I have always wanted to find out for myself the truth about God, so I stayed with the Design Law construct and have been liberated to understand the big picture. Once we consider Design Law, all other Bible stories and prophecies seem to fit perfectly. It is truly beautiful to see people grasping how God operates this Universe of Love and the liberation it has provided in their lives. It blows my mind to see how consistent Design law is with what our founders believed. I hear statements like “This makes so much sense.”

Tom W., Mt. Pleasant, MI, USA

 

Testimony 29

Thank you for all of your work to correct misconceptions about God’s character. So many people that my husband and I have talked to seem to be against the natural law construct and view it as “errant” and “dangerous.” Having learned more about it through your blogs and lessons, I don’t really understand why they view it that way, except that it means they have to relearn theology they have known for their entire lives. But I’m so excited to relearn this. For the past few years I have been questioning how I could trust a God who punishes arbitrarily and is full of wrath for those who don’t obey His commands. That view made me afraid to “mess up” or “not be good enough,” even within my relationship with God. I really appreciated the point you bring out about God not wanting us to serve Him because we are afraid, but because we love Him.

Melissa H., IN, USA

 

Testimony 49

I came into the church at 21, but that is as far as it went. I was so confused about what love is. I couldn’t find it in the bible, because I am not a person that can read between the lines. I have no logic. I have read many, many books; trying to figure out the crux of the matter. They were helpful, but something was still missing. I have become very frustrated to the point of crying out to God, “Where can I go?”  I needed some basics.

I found two books, written by Timothy Jennings, MD, to be very helpful. God showed me that I had lived my whole life in fear. I didn’t even see it. Now, I do. God is so good.  I discovered the “The Remedy”  Dr. Jennings new book, “The God-Shaped Heart!” Oh, I was so excited, I purchased them right away.

I can get rid of most of my books, because “The Remedy” brings the Love of God out so clearly, even I can’t miss it. Now, I want to sit and read my Bible. Wow, what a revelation! It is just simply Awesome! I am so grateful to Jehovah Almighty for hearing my prayer for more understanding! I am so encouraged!

Jackie S.

 

Testimony 5

We listen to your bible studies lessons in our class in Montana. You actually were the main reason I decided to get a laptop, so I can go to your site and listen, read, learn, and print the class notes. I am so grateful to learn the correct view of God and his character. Now, to just have others have an interest in knowing, so I can share it with them. Good thoughts your way.

R. N., MT, USA

 

Testimony 37

Hearing Dr. Jennings’ presentations in person came at a pivotal moment in my spiritual journey that began about nine months ago, when the fault lines inherent in my belief system began to crack under questions that most reasonable people end up asking about God and His nature. These were questions I couldn’t find answers to, and they shook my faith. I was unable let it go any longer and be satisfied. My Christian experience became distant. I was afraid; the fear in me rose like thorns, pushing me away from Jesus. And then someone heard my questions and introduced me to this ministry, and my life has totally changed.

I can tell you that this new, “present truth” message is far grander and life-changing than when I shifted from being an agnostic and then a nominal Christian. It has radically altered my worldview, because it reveals a God that makes sense. It is a revolution. I believe that Dr. Jennings’ message is the final message that must go to the world. If any message could be called “righteousness by faith,” as abused as that term is by the right and the left, this is that message, because Jennings’ biblical message identifies a God who is different, whose character isn’t an impossible contradiction.

I walk this path now without fear. I see people differently, and the Holy Spirit burns in my heart. Many call Dr. Jennings’ message false and compromising, but it isn’t false, because I’ve seen the fruits within my mind and body. It is not compromising, because in this message is the only road to holiness that makes any sense. No longer do I behold a pagan god who is always angry and suspicious. Instead, I behold a God who is freeing and loving, always working for our good, and giving me every reason to love my enemy even to my own death, just as Jesus pleads with us. God is good.

Anthony L., CA, USA

 

Testimony 57

You have helped make sense of thirty two years of confusion. The material you freely provide reorganized so much of my life into such a beautiful pattern that has always been hinted at from within, but misguided with my training and what I was experiencing externally. My filipno parents, who were converted from Catholicism to SDA, were sincere and did their best to raise me the right way and I have deep respect for them. However, being immigrants and not understanding the language made for a difficult transition as I was growing up, which also applied to my spiritual growth as I learned the patterns of religion. I have been listening to as many bible study classes and reading blog posts as my time in a work truck will allow, searching for the practical applications of where spirituality and reality meet, and I thank you for helping me find that. You have helped me reach a point in which I can truly say that I love God, that I believe He loves me, and, like David, I delight in His law. God bless.

Emmanuel V., Calgary, AB Canada

Testimony 7

Ok, so last night I listened to “The Law of Liberty” and “How to Achieve Victory: Freedom, Truth and Spirtual Warfare.” These are both MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITES so far! The logic is just soooooo beautiful. I had to re-listen to them a couple of times. I just want to EXPLODE! (<< we assume with joy and happiness)

N. B., Canada

 

Testimony 10

I personally download and listen to each of Come And Reason Ministries Bible study class lessons and PDF study notes to use when teaching my class. Really appreciate the class especially when Dr. Jennings is teaching. Thank God there are persons like him doing His work and traveling to share His beliefs.

B. L.M., North Plains, OR, USA

 

Testimony 45

I have been confused for years about what [christianity] calls [its] most disgusting teaching. It has never made much sense to me and for that reason has been evermore empty. I have listened to your class off and on and have struggled determining what is truth, because of the resistance design law encounters in the church. So, I thank God for your ministry. What you teach makes sense. It’s logical and backed up by the power of love. I have never seen that in Christ until now. I am astounded by the insight that is found when we look at God’s ministry through design law. All strength to this message, as I believe it to be the power of God.

Brendon S.

 

Testimony 44

We were given a gift of the DVD set, “God and Your Brain,” and we just finished watching it. The truths in this are so powerful and truly an answer to a prayer. We’re seeing hope where once we thought God wasn’t answering our prayers to be free of certain mindsets. He answered with these DVDs and we are hungry for more. Thank you!

Daniel T., Easley, SC, USA