“Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him.” Luke 10:33 NLT
Continuing our study of Jesus’ parables in Biblical Insights, this week we look at the Parable of the Good Samaritan. We have said a parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meeting, and we are going to stick to that. However, it is interesting to note the Wycliffe Bible Commentary suggests this parable may have been a report of an actual occurrence. Nevertheless, Jesus told the story so we can be sure it has a heavenly meaning whichever the case. It is another one of Jesus’ teachings for us to pay particular attention to.
The backstory to this parable is what preceded the question ‘Who is my neighbor?’ The question was asked by a Religious Jewish Law expert who wanted to trap Jesus in a question. He asked Him, “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” (Lk.10:25b nlt) Jesus asked him ‘how do you interpret the Law’ since he was an expert. The man answered correctly, “You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.” And “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Lk.10:27 nlt) But after Jesus confirmed his answer, the expert revealed his self-righteous character by asking ‘who is my neighbor.’ Strict religious Jews would never consider any non-Jew as a neighbor. He needed further explanation which Jesus was more than willing to provide.
Jesus tells the story of an unfortunate Jewish traveler on the road from Jerusalem down to Jericho. It was a 17-mile journey descending over 3,000 feet into Jericho on an isolated, rocky, and winding road known for its many assaults from robbers hiding among the rocks. The man was attacked by the waiting criminals, “They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.” (Lk.10:30b nlt) What happened to this traveler is also a common occurrence in our day. People are victims of assault among other crimes within our society. How we, as Christians, respond to these victims will indicate how well we understand who our neighbors are.
Three individuals had shown their true understanding of being a neighbor. Sadly, two religious ministers, a priest and a Levite temple worker failed miserably. They both passed by on the other side without giving it a thought to help. “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.” (Lk.10:31-32 nlt) One could speculate the reason or reasons these two failed to help the wounded traveler. Whatever it was outweighed the importance of caring for one in tremendous need. Perhaps it was religious pride or their religious legalism not to be defiled if they had touched him and he was dead surfaced in their mind. Either way they both left him unattended.
In life it is often those we expect to help that do not, and those we wouldn’t expect to help do so and even go the extra mile. The same was true in Jesus’ day. In our story it says, “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him.” (Lk.10:33 nlt) The Jews and the Samaritans did not get along. The Samaritans were looked down upon by the Jews, yet this Samaritan had compassion on this Jewish man when his own fellow Jews passed him by. This good Samaritan cleaned and bandaged the man’s wounds, put him on his own donkey, took him to an inn, and nursed him overnight. Then this despised Samaritan went the extra mile, “The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’” (Lk.10:35 nlt) The good Samaritan accurately displayed his understanding of who is his neighbor. Anyone with a need, anyone who needs help, whether rich or poor, regardless of skin color or ethnic background, male or female were all the good Samaritan’s neighbors and should be ours.
After telling the story, Jesus asked the Jewish Law expert, ‘“Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?’ The man replied, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Then Jesus said, ‘Yes, now go and do the same.’” (Lk.10:36-37 nlt) The lesson for the Law expert and us is that every person has the responsibility to be a neighbor to all who cross their path, especially those in need. There are no exceptions.
Read: Luke 10:30-37 NLT – Parable of the Good Samaritan – Jesus – Bible Gateway