Heritage Snapshot 220: Parable of the Good Samaritan

LOMA LINDA >> “A certain lawyer, wishing to justify himself, said…And who is my neighbor? “And Jesus answering said,'A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.'" “Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, 'He that showed mercy on him.' Then Jesus said unto him, 'Go, and do thou likewise.'” (Luke 10: 29-37) The impressive, four-figure sculpture group occupies Loma Linda University’s central mall. It is flanked by the School of Dentistry, the Administration building and the University Church. The paving of split granite and river boulders beneath the figures symbolizes the ruggedness of the road from Jerusalem to Jericho. Dr. Jean Stewart Boyd examined the four figures in detail: “In his miter, the well-fed priest stands 7 feet 7 inches tall. Proudly he wears the composite symbols of his office, the bulbous miter of the Jewish faith, the Calvinist cowl over his ears and the Anglican ribbons down his back. As he hastens on his way, to church, he shuns anyone who might be dead — and thus a source of defilement. But his priestly cape (representing the law) cannot conceal the nakedness of his soul. The expression on his face is insufferably arrogant. He stands for anyone who believes that his knowledge of the law is 'increased with goods and in need of nothing.' In reality, however, he is 'wretched, poor, blind and naked.'” He continued, “The slightly stooped Theologian (who is) 7 feet tall in an academic robe turns aside to look at the injured man. Instead of becoming involved, he selfishly pulls his robe back toward himself. At his throat, his academic hood literally appears as a rope around his neck. Both the Priest and the Theologian represent the Mosaic and Levitical laws respectively. Neither can save fallen man." “The ‘Third-World,’ black Samaritan invites us to reexamine our prejudices," Boyd said. "His clothes are those of a laborer; but he has on hand jars of oil and wine to ease the pain of the sufferer. Representing Christ, the Good Samaritan kneels humbly cradling the sufferer in compassionate arms. He covers the cold form, just as Christ covers us in his robes of righteousness. He also said, “In this sculptural ensemble, the left hand of the victim is open and receptive while the right hand of self-sufficiency is helplessly twisted behind his back. The segment of time depicted in this sculpture clarifies the far-reaching implications of the parable when one considers the story’s sequence of events, the Samaritan (Christ) took the man to the inn (church) and put him in the care of the innkeeper (ministry) until his return (the second coming of Christ). “In August, 1983, the sculpture was vandalized," Boyd continued. "The Good Samaritan’s figure was decapitated and the head carried away. Although the University offered both a substantial reward and 'amnesty,' the person responsible never came forward. Alan Collins was able, however, to restore the figure to its original condition within a few weeks. “In time, environmental conditions in Southern California deteriorated this bigger-than-life work of art. Working with Professor Collins, The Monterey Sculpture Center of Sand City, California, made rubber molds of the original stone figures. From these molds they cast the bronze figures now displayed. Our Good Samaritan is the realization of a lofty dream made possible through skilled hands, dedicated means and the enthusiastic support of many people of vision. Its authentic presence attracts many viewers who respond to its timeless appeal; the work needs no audible voice for it speaks to the heart in the language of love.” The bronze Good Samaritan sculpture was unveiled and dedicated Oct. 14, 1995. The “Sermon in Stone” is now a “Sermon in Bronze.” Both “sermons” were underwritten by Dr. and Mrs. Reuben Matiko.