An Interview with Dr. Luke, By Jill Horton

Jill:  I'm here today with best-selling author and renowned physician Luke.  Hi Luke, thanks for joining me today.

Luke:  You're welcome, thank you for having me.

Jill:  Today I'd like to discuss with you Jesus' teachings regarding Samaritans and Gentiles, and what they mean for us today with regard to minorities and foreigners.  First, what can you tell us about the Samaritans?  How were they regarded in Jesus' day?

Luke: Well, there was quite a bit of racial tension among Jews and Samaritans in that time, sort of like modern-day tensions between different races in America.  The Jews viewed the Samaritans as a lower class of people, and would not associate with them or even pass through their land.  You could compare their situation to the way blacks were segregated in America before the Civil Rights movement.

Jill:  I see, and how did Jesus' views differ?

Luke: Jesus viewed Samaritans as equals, and treated them as such.  He illustrated these views both with words and actions.  The parable of the Good Samaritan is an obvious example, as well as his healing of a Samaritan leper, who was the only one of ten healed to return and thank Jesus.  His example eventually rubbed off on his disciples, who, as I wrote in Acts, preached to and baptized many Samaritans.

Jill:  Ok, now let's move on to the Gentiles.  How were they viewed in New Testament times?

Luke:  Well, if the Samaritans were similar to an ethnic minority today, then the Gentiles were viewed as foreigners along the lines of the Soviets during the cold war.  Anyone who cooperated with or worked for the Roman government was viewed as a traitor. Zacchaeus was one such person.

Jill:  But Jesus had different ideas regarding the Gentiles, didn't he?

Luke:  Yes. Jesus' first love was his own people, the Jews, but he knew that his message would eventually be carried to the Gentiles as well, as God's plan for salvation included all people. Jesus intimated this when speaking in Nazareth, his hometown, and he was driven from the town because of it.

Jill: And after Jesus' death, the ministry to the Gentiles began in earnest?

Luke:  Yes, as I wrote about in Acts, the apostles, especially Paul, preached and taught among the Gentiles, and many became Christians.  The tensions between the Jews and Gentiles didn't magically disappear, however.  There was still disagreement, for instance, over whether the Gentile Christians would have to keep the Jewish laws about food and cleanliness.  Even Peter needed a vision from God to prompt him to socialize with God-fearing Gentiles, and faced criticism afterward for doing so.

Jill: Just one more question, Dr. Luke.  What do you think this means for Christians today?

Luke: Well, basically, I think it tells us that God loves all people, and welcomes people of every race and nation to be a part of His family and receive salvation through Jesus. We should do the same, by working to break down barriers and change attitudes toward and treatment of our modern day Samaritans and Gentiles.

Jill: Thank you for your time, Luke.  Hopefully we will all take your words to heart.