The Good Samaritan

Have you ever considered how our actions reflect the condition of our hearts?

The story of the Good Samaritan is one that challenges us. Samaritans were cultural outsiders, as far as the Jews were concerned. They did not worship the God of the Old Testament, and indeed a Samaritan village had recently rejected Jesus (Luke 9:51-53)!

Jesus’ audience would not expect him to portray a Samaritan as the good guy (neither would we!).

But there was something different about this Samaritan … his heart. “When he saw the man, he felt sorry for him” (v 33b). He sees the robbery victim, and this instantly stirs compassion in his heart … even though the man is a Jew, who under normal circumstances, probably would not talk to him. His heart leads him to action: he approaches the wounded man, treats his wounds and takes him to get help (vv 34-35).

Both the priest and Levite saw the man too (vv 31-32). There was no love stirred in their hearts … neither wanted to get involved.

Jesus’ powerful point?—We are to love our neighbour as ourselves. Period. No excuses. That also means if we know enough about someone to know they are in distress, then they are our neighbour.

That widens the definition of neighbour considerably, and if we seek further clarification, we may be missing the point. We may also want to check the condition of our hearts.

In using a Samaritan as the good guy, Jesus shows us that even people who do not worship God can be filled with love for their neighbour. How much more should we be?

And the Lord’s final challenge: now that you know what loving our neighbour looks like, do it (v 37).

Respond in Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, you are compassionate and holy, and you have loved us while we were unlikable. Please help us to extend your love to others, and to be moved by loving hearts to help others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Jo Lynn Duck

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version® (NIV®).