In today’s study, we will quickly understand the parable of the good Samaritan.

Luke 10:25-37

25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tempted him, saying,Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?26 And he said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?                                                                                              
27 And he answered and said,You shall 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 your neighbor as yourself.                                                                                  
28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.                                                                                                                          
29 But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus,And who is my neighbor?                                     
30 And Jesus answered and said,A man came down from Jerusalemto Jericho,and fell among robbers, who stripped him of his clothes and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead..                                                                                                         
31 And by chance a certain priest was coming down that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.                 
32 And likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.    
33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion.
34 And,approaching, he bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them, and setting him on his own beast, he brought him to an inn.and took care of him;             
35And the next day he departed, and took out two pence, and gave them to the innkeeper, and said unto him, Take care of him, and whatsoever thou spendest more I will repay thee., when you return.
36Which of these three, do you think, was neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?
37 And he said,And he showed mercy on him. Then Jesus said, Go and do likewise.

In today’s study, we will quickly understand the parable of the good Samaritan.

First of all, it is important to understand the context of this passage. In this verse, we see that a “doctor of the law,” trying to deceive Jesus, asks him what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus, knowing his intention, answers the question in return. To which he responds, “You shall 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 your neighbor as yourself.” The doctor of the law, still not satisfied, questions Jesus, saying, “Who is my neighbor?

Jesus then tells a parable about a man who had been left for dead, and a priest and a Levite passed by, that is, the supposed servants of God, who were seen as those who should receive more honor and importance in society, but who, despite this honor and all the zeal they had for the house of God and their ecclesiastical service, did not help him, ignoring the man in need. After the Levite and the priest passed by, there was a Samaritan, that is, a man belonging to the people of Samaria, who were considered unclean by the Jews, who saw the man in need and decided to help him.

As we read this parable, we should ask ourselves: Are we not also like the Levite and the priest? Very zealous for the house of God, zealous about keeping to schedules, zealous about certain rules, but when someone needs our help, we simply ignore them?                                             

Or are we like the Samaritan? Do we love our neighbors to the point of giving up our time and money to help them?

With this study, I do not want to say that being zealous about God’s house, its schedules and its rules is wrong! On the contrary, glory to God if you are like that! But through this study I want you to reflect, and I want you to think about what you have done. I want you to think about the way you act towards your neighbor.

And remember that your neighbor is not only your friend, your family, your brother from church… Your neighbor is also that person who hates you, who has done you wrong, who hurts you, who speaks ill of you. Your neighbor is the homeless person on the street, the rich person who makes fun of the church, your neighbor is your teacher who speaks ill of Jesus, your neighbor is the thief, the corrupt politician, etc…

Jesus loved everyone, including those who hurt him, and if Jesus did it, then you must do it too. Repent if you did not love your neighbor as you should and if you did not help him when he needed it! Change for the better and imitate Jesus. And remember that being a good Christian is being a good Samaritan.

I hope this study has helped! May the Grace and Peace of God that surpasses all understanding be with you, in Jesus’ Name, Amen!