By Pastor John McDonald
Everyone has heard the phrase “A Good Samaritan”. It’s a name that is given to people who go out of their way for others. It’s taught to children, not just children of faith but all children, for its principles and values. We want our children to grow up compassionate and wanting to help those in need.
Some people are surprised to find that the story of the Good Samaritan is actually found in the Bible, and it’s so much more than just good values for children. Jesus actually told this story in response to a question he got asked by a religious expert. You can find the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10.
In Luke 10:25-29 it says: 25 One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?” 27 The man answered, “‘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.’” 28 “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!” 29 The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbour?”
The man had given Jesus a good answer around his understanding of entering eternal life. But wanting to narrow the field on the question of neighbours he seeks clarity on who exactly is my neighbour.
He was looking for a technicality to narrow the scope of who exactly was his neighbour.
This is when Jesus, gracious as always, responds to the man with a story, the story of the Good Samaritan.
In Luke 10: 30 -37 Jesus tells the story: 30 Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. 31 “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. 32 A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. 33 “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. 34 Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35 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.’ 36 “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbour to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. 37 The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”
To the people listening to Jesus, this story starts out with a very familiar scene – a Jewish man making the 27km journey from Jerusalem to Jericho. It was a common yet dangerous at times journey as bandits would hide in the caves and jump people and rob them. Everyone listening to the story up to this point can see this picture in their mind easily.
But Jesus then, as he so often does, flips the story on its head. He says a priest and then a temple servant or Levite saw the man and crossed to the other side of the road offering no assistance to the man in need.
To the listeners the priest and the Levite are the heroes. They are held in high esteem, and the people listening would have thought surely they would help the man, but they don’t .
Then along comes, as the Bible puts it, a despised Samaritan, and when he sees the man he has compassion. The Samaritan didn’t just have a momentary feeling of compassion but an intentional ongoing compassionate response to the man in need.
The Samaritan does 6 things for the Jewish man beaten by bandits:
- Came to him
- Binds and anoints his wounds
- Puts him on his donkey
- Takes him to the inn
- Cared for him
- Paid for his entire stay and recovery (the two silver coins were enough for the man to stay for about 3 weeks.)
The Samaritans mercy wasn’t momentary or singular or random in any way. His compassionate response was intentional and ongoing. It was who he was, the way he lived his life. His compassion went beyond the road, it went on for weeks.
Jesus asked the religious expert, who of the three was neighbour to the man attacked by bandits? He, not even able to say the word Samaritan, says the one who showed mercy. Jesus encouraged him to now go and do the same.
A few thoughts for us today from the Good Samaritan:
RELIGION WILL SWERVE MERCY WILL SERVE.
If you are looking for a technicality on the teaching of Jesus, you will swerve every time. It’s not about the law, it’s about mercy.
But if you keep the the most important commandment at the forefront of your life you will see opportunities and take them every time.
WHO IS MY NEIGHBOUR?
The story of the Good Samaritan shows us that our neighbour is those who we see in need in the journey of life. As we love Jesus we are filled with practical and spiritual compassion for those in need. In doing so you are presenting Christ to them.
Look for opportunities to be a good neighbour.
Everyone matters. As you love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength you will be in a good position to love your neighbour and be a Good Samaritan.
Have a great week.
Ps John