The Parable of the Good Samaritan

Luke 10:25–37
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During the 17th century, Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of England, sentenced a soldier to be shot for his crimes. The execution was to take place at the ringing of the evening curfew bell. However, the bell did not sound. The soldier’s fiancee had climbed into the belfry and … More

Love

A certain lawyer, who was an expert in the law, asked Jesus “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?" (v. 25). It was a good question asked with a bad motive, because the lawyer wanted to trap our Lord. Jesus, as He often did, simply answered him by asking another question; “What is written in the law?” (v. 26). The lawyer gave the right answer but he refused to apply it to himself (vv. 27-29).

Jesus then told this man a story which may have been a true story or it could have been a parable (vv. 30-37). He told how a certain man (probably a Jew) went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. It was a dangerous road to travel, for robbers hid along its steep and winding way. This man was attacked, beaten, robbed, and stripped of his clothes. Two Jews, a priest, and a Levite passed by, doing nothing to help this poor man. Then a Samaritan came along, who was hated by the Jews. He risked his own life and spent his own money to help this robbed and beaten victim.

This story reveals three types of people:

The thief who said - “What’s yours is mine, I’ll take it.”
The priest and Levite who said - “What is mine is mine and I’ll keep it.”
The Samaritan who said - “What is mine is yours and I’ll share it."

Application

Lack of love is often easy to justify. I need to have a heart of love for anyone in need that the Lord brings to my attention, and do something to help them physically and spiritually if I can. I need to introduce them to the love of Christ, who is the only one who can give them eternal life.

Luke 10:25-37 (English Standard Version)

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