PARABLE OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN
"And Jesus answering said, ‘a certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves who stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
"There came down a certain priest that way. When he saw him, he passed by the other side. And likeonse 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. When he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring oil and wine. He set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn. There, he took care of him.
"On the morrow, when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host (the attendant), and said unto him, ‘take care of him, and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.' " (Luke 10:30–38)
Who is My Neighbour?
This is the question that led to this story Jesus shared. In the earlier verses (25 – 29), a certain lawyer stood up and asked Jesus what he could do to gain eternal life. Jesus answered with a question: ‘What is written in the law?’ (v. 26).
The lawyer replied, ‘thou shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart…, and thy neighbor as thyself’. (v. 27)
Jesus said next: ‘Thou has answered right. Do this and thou shall live’. “But he wiling to justify himself said unto Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’ ” (v. 29) Then Jesus told the story of the good Samaritan.
Your Neighbours are the Following :
• Everyone around you. Everyone around you are your neighbours. Those staying around you, and those you meet and work with, etc. From the word 'neighbour' we have ‘neighbourhood’.
• Everyone in need. Yes! Jesus used this parable to tell us that our neighbours are not limited to the people in our neighbourhood. (See verse 36 & 37).
Show Kindness to Everyone
In the above parable, Jesus preached love and care for one another. The Samaritan did not share the culture of the victim. He did not even know him! All he felt was compassion for this man who was ‘half dead’. Perhaps if he left him as the other two did, the man would be dead by sunset.
Learn to show kindness, show some love, show some care. Yes, invest if you have to.
The man took his garment, bandaged his wounds, brought his oil (balm) and wine, and cleaned the sores. He took him on his ass to the inn, stayed there with him, made payment the following day, and promised to balance on his return. Indeed, he was a Good Samaritan. You can do this too. Be touched by others’ infirmity. Stop by. Help.
Do Not Walk Pass, Offer Help
We are told a priest and a Levite came through that route, and they left. Howbeit, they had schedules, already made plans and timing they had to keep up with. Or maybe, they were not ready to make the financial requirement that the situation may incur. They walked pass.
But this man, out of love and compassion for this dying victim (who probably was a husband and father), stopped by, ignored his agenda, spent his time, and money to revive this man.
That is the love Jesus preached and believers profess. You may not have the capacity to offer financial help, but, you can pray and support others in many other ways. But do not just walk pass. Stop by, help.
God bless you.
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