A good Samaritan

What do we call being a good Samaritan? In our days is called “Good Samaritan” to that person who has compassion for his neighbor.

If God forgives us and has mercy on us, why do not we have mercy too? God is a just judge. He is full of compassion toward the weak, the poor, the wounded, and the forgotten. When we look at the character of God, we realize that His mercy is not selective or limited; He extends it to all who come to Him. Yet many times we, who have been recipients of that immense grace, fail to extend it toward others. This is why the teaching of the Good Samaritan is so powerful and necessary for every believer today.

God does not care about what country you are from to save you or to heal you. It is good to remember that story of the good Samaritan and what he did with the man he encountered. There is a Biblical verse that tells us about this story.

And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

Luke 10:25

The Bible tells us that this interpreter of the law came to test the Teacher, asking Him what he should do to inherit eternal life. His intention was not honest; he was trying to justify himself, trying to prove that he fulfilled the law perfectly. Jesus, knowing the heart of every person, led him to answer his own question.

Jesus answered him with a question:

He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?”

Luke 10:26

To which the interpreter of the law answered, saying, “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.” These words summarized the entire law. However, the man wanted to excuse himself even further, so he asked, “And who is my neighbor?” That question revealed his heart, because he wanted to limit who he was obligated to love.

Jesus told him well that he had answered well and told him “do all this and you will live”. Then the Lord spoke very clearly to this interpreter of the law and told him the story of the Good Samaritan:

30 Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

31 Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

32 Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side.

33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion.

34 So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

Luke 10:30-34

We can see here how a man was attacked and left almost dead. People who could be expected to have mercy passed by that place: a priest and a Levite. These men represented religion, knowledge, position, and service in the temple. Yet neither of them stopped to help. They saw the need but chose convenience instead of compassion. Sadly, this same attitude can still be found today. Many see the suffering of others, but they simply turn away.

Who helped him was the least expected person, a Samaritan. Remember the rivalry between Samaritans and Jews. Culturally speaking, the Samaritan had every reason to ignore the wounded man, but compassion overcame prejudice. He stopped, approached, touched the wounded man, and sacrificed his resources to care for him. He did not help merely with words but with actions. This is real love.

We see here that this Samaritan had compassion for his neighbor, how he cared for him and how he paid an innkeeper to continue caring for him. He understood something profound: mercy costs something. It requires time, effort, and sacrifice, but it reflects the heart of God.

36 So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?”

37 And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.”

Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Luke 10:36-37

Jesus ends this great story by urging him to do the same with his neighbor. The command is the same for us: “Go and do likewise.” If you see your neighbor in need, help him. Come close to him, have mercy on him, and offer him your help. Being a Good Samaritan today means demonstrating God’s love in practical actions, putting aside excuses, prejudice, and fear. Let us reflect Christ by loving others the way He loved us.