📖 Bible Passage (KJV) – Luke 10:25–37
²⁵ And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
²⁶ He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
²⁷ And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
²⁸ And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
²⁹ But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
³⁰ And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
³¹ And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
³² And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, 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 on him,
³⁴ And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
³⁵ And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
³⁶ Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
³⁷ And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
✨ All Summed Up
The parable of the Good Samaritan tells of a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho who was attacked and left for dead by robbers. A priest and a Levite both saw the man and ignored him, passing by on the other side. But a Samaritan, someone who was considered an outsider, stopped to help. He cared for the man’s wounds and ensured he received shelter and further care. Jesus teaches that true love and mercy extend beyond boundaries and labels, and that we should care for those in need, no matter who they are.
⚡Key Takeaway
- Mercy over Ritual: The priest and Levite, though religious, failed to show mercy, while the Samaritan, considered an outsider, acted with compassion.
- Love Your Neighbor: The command to love one’s neighbor is central, not just in words but in action.
- Selflessness: The Samaritan went above and beyond, providing care at his own expense.
- Compassion Without Boundaries: True kindness isn’t limited to those we know but extends to anyone in need.
- Grace and Generosity: The Samaritan demonstrated grace by offering financial support for further care.
💭 Reflect & Apply
The story of the Good Samaritan calls us to examine our hearts and actions. How often do we walk past opportunities to show mercy to those around us, whether they are strangers or those in distress? In our daily lives, we’re called to show compassion and love, not just to our friends and family but to everyone, even those who may be different from us. Reflect on how you can be a neighbor to someone today. Are there ways you can go beyond the expected to help others?
🙌 Pray, reflect, and act! Share this parable with a friend and reflect on how it speaks to your life today.
🔗 Explore more parables from the Gospels
🔗 Learn about mercy in our Bible Verses section
🔗 Read the Word of God the Christian Cowboy way