Parable of the Good Samaritan

Definition of Parable:

Parable signifies in general a comparison, or a parallel, by which one thing is used to illustrate another. It is a likeness taken from the sphere of real, or sensible, or earthly incidents, in order to convey an ideal, or spiritual, or heavenly meaning. As uttering one thing and signifying something else, it is in the nature of a riddle and has therefore a light and a dark side, it is intended to stir curiosity and calls for intelligence in the listener.   The derivation of the Hebrew is unknown.

Parable of the Good Samaritan

Luke 10:25-37

And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" He said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read?" And he answered, "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." And he said to him, "You have answered right; do this, and you will live." But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, `Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.'  Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" He said, "The one who showed mercy on him." And Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

Explanation/Meaning:

 When you encounter others in trouble, especially with people you want to avoid, how do you respond?  Jesus posed such a scenario to the religious experts of his day.  He contrasted the attitudes of three bystanders to the scene of a bloody victim beaten half-dead. Why did the religious leaders refuse help while an outsider, a Samaritan who was despised by the Jews, came to the rescue?  Who showed true compassion and mercy?  Jesus makes the supposed villain, the despised Samaritan, the merciful one as an example for the status conscious Jews.  Why didn't the priest and Levite stop to help?  The priest probably didn't want to risk the possibility of ritual impurity.  His piety got in the way of charity.  The Levite approached close to the victim, but stopped short of actually helping him.  Perhaps he feared that bandits might be waiting to ambush him.  The Levite put personal safety ahead of saving his neighbor. Are you willing and ready to do good for others, even to those you do not want to associate with?

"Lord, may your love always be the foundation of my life. And may my love for you express itself in an eagerness to do good for others.