Luke 10:25-37
There may be no more famous parable of Jesus than the one about the man who fell among thieves, and a Samaritan man who had mercy on him and helped him. Jesus concludes this teaching with the powerful command that we go and do the same.
Unfortunately this parable is often read only as Law accusing us of what we have not done and telling us what we should do. This leads either to guilt, helplessness and resentment, or to self-righteousness and smugness if we think we’ve “done the right thing”. None of this can create the kind of compassion that leads to true neighbour love.
Jesus certainly directs us how to live according to God’s good will (His Law), but never, ever apart from the Gospel (good news!) of His grace and love that come to us first, that save, forgive and fill us with abundant life. Only then can we begin to help others with an attitude and motivation of genuine love.
In the first instance the Samaritan is Jesus. He is the One who comes showing unconditional love, acceptance and compassion to the broken, who stops at nothing to heal and restore. We are the ones busted up by our brokenness and sin, lying helpless on the road, whom Jesus rescues.
Christ’s saving love to us causes that same compassion to gush from our hearts to all neighbours.
Grace upon grace, Jonathan.