The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is profoundly complex, touching on history, politics, and religion. Yet, it confronts us directly, dividing society and demanding a Christian perspective rooted in Christ’s teachings on how we should respond.
To understand how Jesus would address this conflict, we must seek clear biblical guidance, examine how his teachings guide us in facing present-day divisions, and identify the distinctly Christian response.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-36) and the story where Jesus’ disciples wanted to call down fire on the Samaritans (Luke 9:51-56) highlight longstanding tensions between Jews and Samaritans rooted in history, religion, and racial differences. Jesus used these examples to challenge narrow notions of neighborliness and teach a broader message of compassion.
Lessons from the Parable of the Good Samaritan: This Rabbi asked a great question—“How do I get everlasting life, or what must I do to have eternal life?” Unfortunately, he wasn’t interested in the answer; his desire was to trap Jesus so that they could religiously accuse him of heresy or breaking the law of Moses.
His question: “Who is my neighbor or fellow man as a Jew?“ Jews were usually willing to help others from their community, as the Torah teaches, but struggled with neighboring non-Jews, especially Samaritans. Jesus used the story to show who a neighbor truly is.
The Jewish man took the longer, riskier route through Jericho to avoid Samaritans, even though the shorter route passed through Samaritan territory.
On this road, the man was attacked by robbers. While a Priest and a Levite passed by and did not help, a Samaritan—the very person the man was trying to avoid—offered lifesaving aid.
When Jesus asked the Teacher who was a neighbour or a fellowman to this wounded Jew, this rabbi couldn’t even bring himself to say,”the Samaritan,” but instead said the one who showed kindness. The Lord Jesus then told him to go and live that way.
The core message Jesus conveys, both then and now, is that our neighbor extends beyond all divisions. Christians are called to actively break down barriers, reject violence, and respond to all in need, embodying God’s character in a divided world.
Now consider the lesson from the Disciples Calling Fire from heaven to destroy the Samaritans:This story, which involves Jesus and his Jewish disciples and Samaritans, shows us Jesus’ mission to the world: it is to save lives, and not to destroy them, whether a Jewish life or a Samaritan life or a Palestinian life.
Jesus made it clear that any spirit encouraging destruction, no matter how justified, is not from God. Nationalism, religious bigotry, or racial superiority that leads to harming others—whether Black, Palestinian, Jewish, or White—is not something Jesus would endorse. He did not allow his disciples to call down fire on the Samaritans, emphasizing that such actions are never God-inspired.
In conclusion, Jesus consistently opposed bigotry and prejudice, no matter the source. He would challenge the hatred that fuels conflict, urging all people to reject division and violence and to embrace reconciliation as the core of the Christian response.
By making a Samaritan—someone despised by Jews—the focal point of his parable, Jesus shows his intention to break down racial barriers and unite people. His teaching calls for peace, harmony, and mutual respect among all people, regardless of race, religion, or culture. Jesus calls for the salvation and unity of all—Jews and Palestinians—inviting both sides to pursue peace, love, and true cooperation as the only Christian approach.