In the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 10, we find the parable of the Good Samaritan. We are told that an expert in the Mosaic Law stood up to test Jesus by asking Him…”What must I do to inherit eternal life?” He replied, ”What is written in the Law? How do you read it?”’

The man answered by quoting the two great commandments: “’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,’ Jesus replied, ‘You have answered correctly. Do this and you will live.’  But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, ‘Who is my neighbor?’" (vs. 27-29).

Jesus then told the story of the Good Samaritan:  “In reply Jesus said: ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he 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 and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have. Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?’ The expert in the law replied, ‘The one who had mercy on him.’ Jesus said, ‘Go and do likewise’" (vs. 30-37).

Jesus’ selection of the three men in the parable was carefully chosen. The Priest and the Levite represented the Jewish spiritual leaders who were supposed to be good examples to Israel. But as a group they failed miserably as Jesus tells them in Matthew 23. The injured man was one of their own countrymen and they chose not to get involved in helping him.

On the other hand, the Samaritan was an outcast and was detested by the Jews. They would not have anything to do with any of them. Jesus choice of this person is therefore quite significant in this parable that portrays the Good Neighbor.

Some years ago, an elder brother once pointed out that the Samaritan did not ask the injured victim what he believed before helping him. He just knew that he was hurt and was moved by pity and compassion for the man. Note the extent of his help: “But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he 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 and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have'” (vs. 33-35).  This Samaritan not only took care of the injured man’s wounds, but also took him to an Inn, paid the innkeeper to look after him, and gave the innkeeper a “blank check” telling him that whatever extra expense there might be he would pay him for it when he returned.

May we follow his example in our ministry to do good as we have opportunity as we read in Galatians 6:10, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

When we think about the two great commandments, it is easy to see why our Lord linked them together. After all, what better way can we show our love for our Father than to show Him we love our fellow man by doing them good as did the Samaritan.
         

D. Anas ©CDMI