In Luke 10, Jesus related the story of the Good Samaritan in the context of being asked what one must do to inherit eternal life. The answer was to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind AND to love your neighbour as yourself. This two-part reply is like two sides of a coin; both are equally important. Loving our neighbour is NOT something done “if you feel like it,” “as a means to an end,” “when it is convenient” or “if they believe like you do.” We know this because a crucial follow-up question was asked: “WHO IS MY NEIGHBOUR?”
In response, Jesus taught the Good Samaritan Principle:
- The Samaritan observed a need as he passed by a stranger – as he was going about an ordinary day.
- The Samaritan had nothing to do with the assault on the man. He was not at all responsible for the victim’s situation.
- The Samaritan took it upon himself to care for the victim’s needs, even at personal cost, inconvenience and possibly endangering himself.
- The Samaritan followed up on the well-being of the man.
Jesus; concluding exhortation: “Go and do likewise… “
- What does Luke 10 say about justice and/or compassion?
- What does it mean for the church/followers of Christ today?
- How can I apply this today?
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1. This says a lot about justice… sometimes there is none… The Samaritan could have had nothing to do with the Jews and their troubles… however, this is where the compassion comes in. MAYBE because the robbers, though no one knows, were possibly Samaritans, so he felt compassion on the traveller feeling bad for how his people treated a foreigner…
2 We all have plenty of chances, wither we are in our own country or another to show compassion to those who need it. In fact, many WILL NOT, we, as followers of Jesus, MUST!!
3. I was riding my bike past an accident today… I saw the driver of a motor bike passed out, with the car perpendicular to the road, not sure where the driver of the car was… the ambulance was already there… should I have stopped to help/comfort/pray?… I will be praying for them today.
I have always loved this scripture and been challenged by it. How easy is it to walk past problems of people living in the streets, obvious addictions, teens without direction or mentorship, etc. How challenging it is to CHOOSE to get involved even when we can so easily say “not my problem!”. Challenging as always. Thanks J.
At the very least the Good Samaritan Principle instructs me that I am without excuse. There are needs and situations all around me, my tendency is to get involved ONLY if I know the hurting party. If I don’t, I don’t feel any responsibility. However, that was not the case with the Good Samaritan. He did not see the event happen, did not know the hurt party; he had no responsibility whatsoever and still he acted. Good reminder of my responsibility as a Christian – I am not to wait on the sidelines to SEE how an event will play out, I am to become engaged and BE Christ to those who hurt.