Perhaps of all the parables of Jesus the parable of the “Good Samaritan” is more widely known (though not necessarily understood) than all the other parables of Jesus.
THE PARABLE
Jesus was traveling from Jericho to Jerusalem when he was stopped by an expert in Old Testament Law who asked Him, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”
This expert in the law addressed Jesus as “teacher,” acknowledging Him as a person of authority in religious matters. He expected Jesus to provide an answer to his question.
Jesus, as He did often throughout His earthly ministry, answered the man with His own question, “What is written in the Law?” To which the expert in the law responded: “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.”
Wanting to justify himself, the expert in the law asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?”
The Jew lived in a circular world: at the center was himself, surrounded by his immediate relatives, then his kinsmen, and finally the circle of all those who claimed Jewish descent and who were converts of Judaism. These alone were considered neighbors. All those outside this circle were strangers and enemies and didn’t come under the category “neighbor.”
Jesus, in the parable of the Good Samaritan, states clearly that “your neighbor” goes outside your circle of family and friends to outsiders, strangers, and even enemies.
The story took place on the road going from Jerusalem to Jericho, about 17 miles in length with drop-offs as deep as 3,000 feet.
The Jericho road in Bible times had been given the name “the path of blood,” and “the valley of the shadow of death,” because it was considered so dangerous. If you didn’t fall off the road to your death, you could face robbers ready to ambush and kill you at any time.
According to the story Jesus told, a man was going down the Jericho road. Whether he was a rich man or a poor man is not said. He was robbed and beaten and left for dead alongside the road.
Soon after the crime was committed, a priest came by on his way home to Jericho. The priest took one look at the wounded man, and passed by on the other side. A little while later, a Levite did exactly the same thing—one look and he went on.
Next came along a Samaritan (possibly identified by the clothes he was wearing). He stopped and looked at the man who had obviously been beaten and left to die. The Samaritan was filled with pity.
He went to the man 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. He did not ask whether the wounded man was a Jew, Roman, Greek, or Syrian. For him, the person naked, wounded, and half dead was a human being created in the image of God in need of help.
He readily paid the innkeeper the necessary money to keep the man at the inn for a few days. Most likely, he provided clothes as well. With business pressing, he had to leave the man the following day; but first he paid the innkeeper two silver coins and gave instructions to look after him. And he told the innkeeper if more money was needed, he would settle it on his way back.
Jesus ended the story by asking the expert in the law, “Which of these do you think was a neighbor to the man who was robbed, beaten and left for dead?” The expert in the law replied: “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus said, “Go and do likewise.”
THE LESSON OF THE PARABLE
To the question, “who is my neighbor?” the expert of the Law wanted to know, as many do today, if love has limits. Where do you draw the line? He wanted to justify himself and to ascertain whether he had fulfilled the demands of the Law.
Jesus the lawgiver, taught this so-called expert in the law a lesson as to the law’s application in one’s life. The law is no good if you do not practice it.
The Samaritan’s actions represented a genuine sacrifice of money, possessions, risk of health and safety, and many hours of loving, watchful care.
The message Jesus teaches by means of the parable is summarized in the words “Go and do likewise.” In the language of James, “Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” James 1:22.
To bypass someone who needs help is not only a transgression of the second great commandment but the undoing of the first as well.
The Good Samaritan fulfilled the Golden rule which sums up the law and the prophets. Luke 6:31-33
APPLICATION OF THE PARABLE
In Acts 1:8 it says that when the Holy Spirit comes to indwell us (at regeneration) He will empower us to be witnesses of the gospel of God’s grace and Christ’s love for sinners at home, (our Jerusalem), to strangers, (our Judea), to enemies (our Samaria), and throughout the world.
Jesus said in Matthew 25:34-36 that our feeding the hungry, our clothing the naked, our caring for the sick, and our visiting the prisoners are marks of a true disciple. Those things do not make us disciples, but they are characteristics of a true disciple of Christ.
If we are Christians through faith in the finished work of Christ, we will live like that Samaritan. And it won’t come naturally.
In our own strength it is impossible to love with the attributes of God’s love.
In our own strength we could never love others the way God loves us. But when we become Christians, regenerated by God’s Spirit something supernatural happens. God gives us the equipment to love the unlovable, the unattractive, and those who cannot repay.
Audio of Lesson
