The Parable of the Good Samaritan

Luke 10:25-37

An Expert in the law tested Jesus by asking “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” (25).

Jesus answered by asking back “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” (26) Here we can learn that asking back is the best way to answer to those who want to test or trap us.

The expert in the law answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" (27)

Jesus replied, “You have answered correctly. Do this and you will live." (28)

This revealed that the expert of the law knew the answer. Therefore he didn’t have to ask Jesus for the answer. He wanted to justify himself and asked another question so that Jesus might answer. His question was “Who is my neighbor?” (29).

Jesus told him the parable of the Good Samaritan.

A man fell into the hands of robbers on his way from Jerusalem to Jericho. He was stripped of his clothes, beaten and left half dead. A priest saw the man on his way and passed by on the other side. A Levite[1] saw him and passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan saw him and took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then, he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins, gave them to the innkeeper and said “Look after him and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.” (30 ~ 35)

Jesus asked "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" (36)

The expert in the law replied "The one who had mercy on him." (37^a)
Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise." (37^b)

In this parable, a priest and a Levite avoided the man victimized by robbers despite of their religious responsibility in the society. It is ironical but such irony is repeated throughout the books of Gospel. Those who were against and put Him into death sentence were also priests and other religious leaders. Also ironically the true neighbor was the Samaritan[2], who was most despised by other Israelites in religious reason. What did the Samaritan do for the man who met robbers?

The Samaritan

• took pity on him
• provided him first aid.
• provided him transport.
• provided him hospitality.
• took responsibility for the future cost.

How were you like the man who met robbers?

Who were your neighbors when you were in difficulties?

Do you know those who are like the man stripped/beaten by robbers?

How can you become their neighbor?

We may be like the man stripped/beaten by robbers when we are disadvantaged in the society, by the unfair system, by the greedy people, by the rich. Write about it here.

Also, we may be like that because of our own greed/addiction/bad habits/bad decision, mislead by ourselves, driven by the devil. Write about it here.

Let us take time to remember those who became our neighbors in the time of our difficulties. Appreciate and bless them.

List them here.

Did they pity on you? Did they provide you healing aid? Did they provide you any transport? Did they provide you any hospitality? Did they pay for your cost? Write about them here.

Remember those who need my help. List them here.

Think of what I can do for them. And take action. Do I have pity on them or indifference? Can I provide them any healing aid? Can I provide them any transport? Can I provide them any hospitality? Can I pay for their cost?  Write about them here.

In summary, let us put down our masks or titles. Based on the books of Gospel, it is very obvious that Jesus wants us to put them down. It is not about whether we have the title like ‘Christian’. But it is about the truth, about love, and about being true neighbor.