The Good Samaritan

So, the message at my church today was over the parable of the Good Samaritan. I'm sure that even though you haven't heard of the story you are familiar of what a 'Good Samaritan' is - a kind, self-less person, who helps those in need - some may even go as far as calling these people heroes. Well, growing up in Sunday school, I've memorized so many of these parables but it was interesting to here this pastor's message on it.

Firstly, in order to make you really understand I need to ask you to read these Bible verses: 

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
"What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?"
He answered, "'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, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."
But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out to denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'
"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"
The expert in law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."
Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise"

Luke 10: 25-37

You're probably thinking that the message is basically be nice to others, right? Well, I suppose that that's partially the message but think about it, if that was the case the story could have been told with three random people. There were specific labels to these people: the Priest, the Levite, and a Samaritan. The first two ignored the helpless man - a Priest and a Levite - both who should have helped, but they didn't. (Apparently to touch a dead person is filthy and will taint you, so to the two the man looked dead and so that's why they used the other path). 

That leaves the Samaritan. For the Jewish people (the helpless man is Jewish), Samaritans are totally revolting and they are basically enemies. And yet, the Samaritan is the only one who helps the man. He go beyond helping him too - washes him, feeds him, puts him on his donkey and places him in an inn where he stays and takes care of him and then pays for everything and more. And that's what Jesus said was 'loving your neighbor' - complete enemies even! 

I feel like it's rare to witness a good Samaritan or even be on. People have become so concerned with themselves and it's getting harder to think about others or helping those who are in need. And it's not only for those who you are close too, but even those people who you don't know or may not even like. With all these riots, fighting, and hatred, I think it's important to be reminded to show kindness and love - it really is the moral thing to do.

I really do like the story of the Good Samaritan. I mean, even though it's in the Bible and is commonly known as a Christian story, I think that this transcends over one religion and should be applied to just people. It really is the moral thing to help those in need. It's just being a good citizen of the world.

Love,
ALPHA