Like a Good Neighbor – Jesus Is There Luke 10:25-37;Mark 12:28-34
The Parable of the Good Samaritan has become one of the most famous stories among all of Jesus’ teachings. Indeed, many people now only know the name of the Samaritans because of Jesus’ story from the Gospel of Luke; the parable even inspired the name of a charity in the United Kingdom, aimed at providing emotional support to anyone in emotional distress. This is known simply as the Samaritans.But is the parable more than a story about loving our neighbor and showing compassion to those in need? Is it also an allegory for Christianity as a whole? Jesus gave the word “neighbor” a new meaning: anyone in need. When we help others, we help Christ. (Matthew 25:40)The Samaritan “had compassion” on the injured Jew. In other places in the Gospels, we hear that Jesus himself “had compassion” on people: Matthew 9:36, Matthew 14:14, Mark 6:34, and Luke 7:13.The Priest and Levite who just got out of Church passed on by and didn’t want to get involved.One interpretation of the parable identifies the Samaritan with Christ, scorned and rejected by others, and the injured traveler as every person, unable to rescue himself or herself but for the love and grace of a Savior.We cant attend to every need or every person in the world, but we can help those that cross our paths daily. Go and do like wise.