Storyteller: The Parables of Jesusනියැදිය

Real Love (Part 2: The Parable of the Good Samaritan)

Love is a universal concept and a common tenet in most religions, yet many of us still have difficulty defining what it truly is. In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus takes any preconceived ideas about what love is and shakes things up a bit.

It is uncomfortable for us and disconcerting for the lawyer. Jesus’ characterization of real love goes against what feels natural. As humans, we operate under the assumption that we can earn a place in God’s good graces as long as we are upright and moral enough.

The lawyer likely feels exposed. Seeking to justify himself, he looks for loopholes and the easy way out of Jesus’ words. He wants Him to be more specific and asks, “And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29, ESV). He already believes he is a pretty righteous guy, and he wants Jesus to affirm him so he can feel good about himself. Instead, Jesus gently guides him away from the idea of mere religion and self-sufficiency and into a life of full dependence upon God, through a relationship, to live out the ways that truly honor and glorify Him.

Although Jesus is correcting the man’s misunderstandings about love, He is not harsh; He is patient and gentle, illustrating this complex truth within a parable to help make things clearer.

Why would Jesus do this? Jesus does this help us consider what it would be like if we could love extravagantly in the same way—freely and without prejudice, boundaries, limitations, and judgment.

Jesus is saying our beliefs must galvanize us into action—but not just any action. It is one thing to do something out of obligation or duty, but it is another thing altogether to do something from a heart filled with love, compassion, and mercy. It is one thing to just get by doing the bare minimum, but it is another thing altogether to find joy and delight in doing it with all your heart.

Jesus emphasizes how costly it is for the Samaritan to help the man in the street. He goes out of his way, sacrificing his own schedule and safety to meet his needs. He is unafraid of touching the man, and he bandages his wounds, puts him on his personal animal, and pays an innkeeper the equivalent of two days' worth of wages to give him rest and shelter, and he offers to pay any additional costs if they are incurred.

Jesus uses similar language in Matthew 25:31-45, teaching that whatever we do to serve the least of His brothers, we also do for Him. He uses the examples of giving to the hungry and thirsty, welcoming the stranger, clothing the naked, and visiting those who are sick and imprisoned.

It is not up to us to decide who is worthy of care and who is not; everyone, without question, deserves compassion and mercy in the same measure in which we have received it from God the Father.

Anyone who has need is our brother, and real love means generously sharing our resources with others. If we are truly in Christ, only then will we be able to “go, and do likewise” (Luke 10:37, ESV) to demonstrate His unique kind of love to the world, which desperately needs to experience it.

Prayer

We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him; whoever loves God must also love his brother. (1 John 4:19-21, ESV)

Lord, this kind of love is impossible if not for Your indwelling presence. Help me love others, even my enemies, for Your glory. Amen.