The Church that Love Builds

The Good Sameritan

In Luke’s Gospel, Chapter 10, verses 25-37, we find the parable of the Good Samaritan.

“Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he said, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the law? What do you read there?’ He answered, ‘You shall 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 your neighbor as yourself.’ And he said to him, ‘You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.’

“But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’ Jesus replied, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while travelling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, “Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.” Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’”

Priests and Levites were held in very high esteem in Jesus’ day. Both were types of highly trained and respected religious leaders. Samaritans were scorned. Clearly Jesus is making a point about compassion here, but why does he specify that an outcast, a foreigner, a despised alien, was the source of such mercy?

In our daily lives, we will rarely come upon such a scene. But many other people with dire needs come to our awareness. How might we “Go and do likewise” today?
View Frazier Crane: The Good Samaritan

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by PJ Muniz on June 12, 2009 at 9:43pm: I'm a bit confused by this parable. I don't believe a priest would have passed by an injured man without trying to help him. Levites are still an anomoly to me --- that might not be the right word, sorry. (Levites just confuse me.)

Perhaps Jesus was simply indicating that anyone has the ability to demonstrate love to another;familiarity (with another person) can be irrelivant where feelings of pity come into play.

I frequently try to "put myself in another's shoes." I want to understand others and their feelings. At times, it is as if I need to act as Devil's advocate to view different points of view. Boy, is it ever difficult to put myself in someone's shoes that I, at first, feel a strong resentment toward!

It is so much easier for me to love my neighbor when I don't know him/her because then, I use my imagination to see him/her in only an angelic way.

For me to be a good samaritan, I need to not expect any immediate, direct thankful reponse from someone I assist/help. Whenever I am told I have done a good deed, my ego gets fed and I sort of feel ashamed of that feeling. Yet, the acknowledgement I receive of a job done well, helps to affirm that I am doing something right.

Whoo boy, do I overthink things or what!; ▶ Reply to This

▶ Reply to This

RSS

Welcome to
Emanuel Lutheran Church

Sign Up
or Sign In

About

Emanuel Lutheran created this Ning Network.

Create a Ning Network! »

Badges | Report an Issue | Terms of Service