A common parable, the good Samaritan, takes a look at genuine love, who belongs and personal responsibility. We all have tendencies to mentally exclude people from God’s grace based on their radical beliefs or poor life choices and ill-fit character qualities. But this parable reminds us that we are all created in God’s image and worthy of compassion, all called to be the helpers. In the story, we find that there was a man on his way between Jerusalem and Jericho that had been robbed, beaten and stripped of all worldly possessions. Can you just imagine this heap of a man left half dead on the side of a dirt road? Likely barely breathing, unable to move and cry out. First came the priest, a noble man of God, maybe in fear of becoming dirty, crosses to the other side of the road and continues on his way. But next is the Levite, a man of clergy, believed to be direct heirs of father Abraham. The tribe of Levi was tasked with maintaining the most Holy Place in the tabernacle, as the Lord instructed. Surely this man had a heart for his duties to the Lord, yet he too crosses the road. But finally came the Samaritan. Now Samaritans were the outcasts of the day, despised by Jews because of centuries deep ethnic, religious and political differences. If the traveler had encountered the Samaritan prior to his attack, he likely would have crossed over to get away from someone that was considered so looked down upon. But here we have a poor soul, clinging to his own life when the commonly-rejected Samaritan moves towards him. He puts the man on his donkey, travels slowly with him to the inn and puts forth nearly two months of expenses to cover the recovering man’s lodging and care.
As Jesus wrapped up this story, he turned back to the lawyer who had come with intent to test Jesus. The lawyer was confident that he loved God, confident in his religious stature and standing. But to this man who knew the law so well, he was not hoping for the answer received in this lesson. You see, neighbor isn’t defined by proximity, but revealed through action.
Are you being a neighbor? Or are you staying comfortable, avoiding the mess? The Samaritan shows us that real love crosses cultural lines, embraces the inconvenient, and acts without hesitation, even at the risk of judgment. While others passed by, his compassion interrupted his plans, and he allowed it. So the question remains: are you willing to step into the messy places, even when it costs you something? Or does that disrupt your carefully planned day? Jesus closes with, “Go and do likewise.” Because spiritual maturity isn’t measured by knowledge or status, but by a life marked with costly, active mercy.