Luke 10:25-37

Good Samaritan Hospital. Good Samaritan Clinic. Good Samaritan Society. Good Samaritan Inn. Good Samaritan Community. Good Samaritan Church.
Good Samaritan Academy.

All of the above plus Samaritan’s Purse, Samaritan Project, Samaritan Ministry and many more institutions of mercy derive their name from today’s text and its hero, identified for all time as “The Good Samaritan.”

“Good Samaritan” is indelibly stamped into our culture and nomenclature from one of Jesus’ most famous parables. In addition “The Jericho Road has also been memorialized in hymn and song, as well as in other organizations dedicated to helping the hurting.

The Background

A Lawyer asked Jesus, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus referred him to the two great commandments–love God and love your neighbor. “But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” This spawned Jesus’ parable.

The Jericho Road

Jerusalem is 2300′ above sea level. Jericho, which is near the Dead Sea, is approximately 1300′ feet below sea-level. The 5th century theologian, Jerome, called it “The Red or Bloody Way,” since it was a rocky, winding, narrow road fraught with danger and lurking bandits.

The Cast of Characters

1. The wounded man. Presumably Jewish, he was evidently traveling alone when accosted by thieves. Beaten, robbed, and stripped of his clothing, he was left to die by the side of the road.

2. The Priest. He hurried by possibly thinking the man was dead. If he touched him, according to the law he would be unclean for seven days, and unable to serve in the Temple. As Barclay put it, “He set the claims of ceremonial above those of charity. The Temple and its liturgy meant more to him than the pain of man.”

3. The Levite. It seems he ventured closer to the hurting man. Yet only looked and went on his way. Neither the priest or Levite demonstrated any care or concern. They offered no help. And left him with no hope.

4. The Samaritan. It’s well documented that “the Jews had no dealings with the Samaritans.” They were racial prejudiced against this mixed ethnic group. Yet, he is the very one who saw the beaten man and “felt compassion for him.”

The “Good Samaritan” was good because he saw an opportunity to do good and did it. It was instinctive. Unfeigned. And heart-felt. He administered aid. Lifted him up to ride on his donkey. Took him to an Inn. And paid the Inn keeper to care for him.

Jesus’ Question

To the lawyer Jesus asked, “So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?”

His answer: “He who showed mercy on him.”

Jesus’ response: “Go and do likewise.”

Applications

1. There are bad people who hurt others. Physically, mentally, or emotionally. It was true in Jesus’ day. It’s no less true today. Evil men with an evil heart do evil deeds.

2. Too often God’s people, religiously minded folks, can make excuses not to help others. We wonder, “Why did they get in this situation?” “Why did they walk this dangerous road alone?” “Are they really hurting? Maybe it’s a trap?” Or we’re too busy engaging in “church work”, to minister “to the least of these.” Or could it be that some folks just lack compassion?

3. Let’s be careful not to allow the hurting to become so common place, that we became calloused to their plight and pain.

4. Help must be practical, not theoretical. It’s not enough to feel another’s pain, but we’re called upon to lend a helping hand. Let’s move from the abstract to the concrete.

5. Getting involved often requires a sacrifice of time, money, convenience, and some personal risks.

6. Good deeds emanate from a good heart. Feelings of pity, compassion, and mercy.

7. The question “Who is my neighbor? is forever answered. The question now is, “To whom can I be a neighbor?”

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Gal.6:10).

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman