The Parable of the Good Samaritan
The Parable of the Good Samaritan is a wonderful example for all of us to follow. Jesus gives us an example of true kindness and caring for a fellow human being. The instruction from Jesus is “Go and do likewise”
Luke 10: 29-37
Jesus was asked by a lawyer, an interpreter and teacher of the Mosaic Law, who is his neighbor. We need to understand that this certain lawyer was testing or trying to prove the character and the power of Jesus. His intent was to show Jesus that he was righteous and doing what he should be doing according to the Mosaic Law.
Jesus used this parable to teach this lawyer about who a neighbor is. Jesus said there was a certain man who went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. He fell among thieves who stripped him of his cloths and wounded him and then departed leaving him half dead.
There was a certain priest that came by and saw the man. When he saw him he passed on the other side so he didn’t have to help this wounded man. A priest is one who offers sacrifices and considered to be a holy righteous man. The priest didn’t care what was wrong with this wounded man. He didn’t care if he was hurt, dead, or a live. He was not going to get involved.
Likewise a Levite did come by. He did get a little closer to this wounded man and he did look at him. Then he passed by on the other side. A Levite was of the tribe of Levi who did not belong to the family of Aaron, who were alone the priesthood. The rest of the Levites were assistants to the priests. It was their duty to keep the sacred utensils and the temple clean, to provide the sacred loaves, to open and shut the gates of the temple, to sing the sacred hymns in the temple, and to do many other things.
This Levite went over to see why this man was lying in the road and could plainly see that he was wounded. So he knew he should have done something to help this poor man who had been robbed and beaten. He didn’t care and he did not want to get involved for whatever reason. So he crossed over to the other side and did not help.
Next a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where the wounded man was. Unlike the others when he saw him, he had compassion on him. This Samaritan went over to the wounded man and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine which was used to clean and heal the wounds.
Next the Samarian put him on his own beast of burden and took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day the Samarian had to leave and he took out money and gave it to the innkeeper. The money was to take care of the man until he came back and if it took more money he was willing to repay the innkeeper.
It is important to note that a Samaritan was an inhabitant of the city of Samaria. Samaritans and Jews generally despised each other. Samaritans claim their worship is the true religion of the ancient Israelites prior to the Babylonian Exile. Both Jewish and Samaritan religious leaders taught that it was wrong to have any contact with the opposite group, and neither was to enter each other’s territories or even to speak to one another.
Jesus asked the lawyer who the thought was the neighbor to the man who fell among the thieves. The lawyer got the answer right when he said the man who showed mercy on him. It is interesting to note that the lawyer did not say the Samarian but instead he identified him as just “he” the one that showed mercy. Next Jesus gave the instruction to go and do likewise.
What Can This Lesson Teach us?
The point of this parable told by Jesus is the Samaritan who stopped to aid this injured man was more kind than the priest or the Levite. Today we would say that he was more Christ like in stopping to help the wounded man. That is important to us.
Jesus gives us an example of true kindness and caring for a fellow human being. The instruction from Jesus is “Go and do likewise.” We should not care the persons social status or how much money a person makes we should care for them.
I can hear you say now; “but I am just a little kid what can I do?” Let me tell you there is a great deal you can do. First and foremost you need to be aware that we are all equal in the eyes of the LORD God. Jesus expects us to treat each other with love. We are expected to help those in need not only the ones we call our friends. We need to avoid our prejudices and show love and compassion for others.
Jesus also teaches us that our neighbor is anyone we encounter in our lives. We are to love all of mankind as Jesus has taught us to do. We also need to remember that we all need Jesus Christ as our Savior and can do nothing to save ourselves.
Cite Article Source
MLA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne “The Parable of the Good Samaritan:.” Becker Bible Studies Library Jan 2015.<https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1891,>.
APA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2015, January) “The Parable of the Good Samaritan:.” Becker Bible Studies Library. Retrieved from https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1891,.
Chicago Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2015) “The Parable of the Good Samaritan:.” Becker Bible Studies Library (January), https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1891
, (accessed).
