The Good Samaritan

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 it?” 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 correctly; 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. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal 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 to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”
Luke 10:25–37
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The Good Samaritan
In one of the most well-known parables in the Bible, Jesus shows us the hypocrisy of the self-righteous and what it truly means to have faith and follow Christ.  Jesus tells the famous parable of the Good Samaritan to clarify that He requires His followers to do good to all people. Unfortunately, in our selfish and sinful ways, we too often act as the priest and Levite, ignoring the plight of those around us in need. In His concluding exhortation, “Go, and do likewise,” Jesus reminds us just how far we are from the loving, self-sacrificing behaviors the Lord expects. Thanks be to God that He does not treat us likewise. Instead, Jesus became the Good Samaritan for us. He laid down His life and looks after us while we are still His enemies. He promises us full restoration and everlasting life. May we take to heart this parable and strive to be more Christ-like in our treatment of others. So that we grow in faith and love for our neighbor. May people see Jesus in our actions as we reach out to them with His love.