Are You Good Samaritan?

Luke 10:25-29

25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” 27 And he answered, “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.” 28 And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” 29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

Mouse In Car

Last week I was Driving when I looked down in the passenger seat floorboard and there was a mouse! I freaked out. I’m not gonna lie, This was my “Jesus Take The Wheel” moment.’

I went to Home Depot to get some mouse traps and in my panic from see that awful creature, I left my keys and wallet on the shelf. I know that doesn’t surprise many of you.

I go out ton the car and I am trying to set the traps (snapping my fingers constantly), when my car horn starts going off and the old man is sprinting towards me with everything I own in his hands. I thanked him and thought to myself “what a good samaritan.”

What does “Good Samaritan” Mean?

Today, when people say “Good Samaritan,” they usually mean someone who does something kind for a stranger without expecting anything in return. It often refers to small, thoughtful acts in everyday life. For example, over the weekend, I had the opportunity to go to Adopt a Block, and the UNA basketball team was there. Our awesome Chapel Kids team was leading worship by dancing with the kids. Some of the kids were too embarrassed to dance, and one of the basketball players went and started encouraging the kids to dance. Other examples are if someone pays for your food in e drive-thru or returns your wallet.

But we should stop and ask— is that really what Jesus meant when He told this story?

When Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan, He was doing more than talking about being kind. He was challenging people’s beliefs and how they saw themselves and others. He wanted His listeners to think deeply about how they live and treat others.

The Context

The story begins when a lawyer, someone who knew a lot about religious laws, came to Jesus to test Him. He asked, “Teacher, what do I need to do to have eternal life?” This wasn’t just a normal question—people like him often tried to trap Jesus with tricky questions.

The lawyer was hoping for a rule-based answer so he could feel good about following the law. But instead of giving a straight answer, Jesus asked him a question: “What does the Law say?” The lawyer replied correctly: “Love God and love your neighbor.” Jesus told him, “You’re right. Do that, and you’ll live.”

But the lawyer wasn’t done. He knew he hadn’t really lived up to that command, so he asked, “Who is my neighbor?” That question set the stage for the powerful story Jesus was about to tell.

Luke 10:30-37

30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

The Parable

Jesus tells a story about a Jewish man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. This road was known to be dangerous, with robbers often hiding along the way. Sure enough, the man is attacked, beaten badly, and left almost dead.

Then, a priest comes along. But instead of helping, he crosses the road and walks past. After him, a Levite—someone who helps in the temple—also sees the man but chooses to ignore him too. These were respected people in Jewish society, and you’d expect them to help. But they didn’t.

Then a Samaritan comes by—and this is where the story gets surprising. Jews and Samaritans didn’t get along at all. Most Jewish people listening to Jesus would’ve expected the Samaritan to walk away too.

But he doesn’t. He sees the hurt man, feels sorry for him, and decides to help. He cleans the man’s wounds, puts him on his own donkey, and takes him to an inn to care for him.

What Did The Samaritan Do?

The Samaritan shows us three important things: he notices, he feels compassion, and he takes action.

Noticing: He really sees the hurt man—not just as a stranger, but as someone who needs help. Empathize: He feels deep care and kindness toward him. His compassion breaks through the divide between their people. Acting: He doesn’t stop at feeling bad—he actually helps. He cleans the man’s wounds, takes care of him, and even pays for a place for him to stay.

These three steps teach us something powerful. This story isn’t just about being kind—it’s about looking past our differences and being willing to share in someone else’s pain.

Who are we?

Now let’s think about what this meant for the lawyer who asked the question in the first place. The point of the story isn’t just to tell people to be nice or do good things. It’s meant to make us take a hard look at ourselves.

Jesus isn’t only saying, “Be like the Samaritan.” He’s also showing us that we’re often more like the priest and the Levite—people who look the other way when someone needs help.

Jesus wanted the lawyer to see that even though he knew all the laws, he was still missing the heart of what it means to love others. His pride and sense of being "good enough" were being challenged. Jesus was helping him realize that being a true neighbor means showing real love and compassion—even when it’s hard.

The True Good Samaritan

But there’s an even deeper meaning here. The Samaritan in the story is a picture of Jesus Himself. Just like the Samaritan helped the hurt man, Jesus came into our broken world to help us. He shows us compassion, heals our wounds, and lifts us up when we can’t help ourselves.

That’s why we should also see ourselves as the wounded traveler. In many parts of life, we feel broken, hurting, or alone—like we’re stuck on the side of the road, waiting for someone to rescue us. And Jesus is the one who comes to us with love and care.

Application

You might be wondering—what does this story mean for me today? It actually speaks to some really important things about how we live right now.

See the Needs Around You: There are people around us who are hurting—those struggling with things like homelessness, mental health, or unfair treatment. The first step is to truly notice them.

Feel Compassion: We need to care about their pain, not just see it. Real compassion means letting their struggles touch our hearts.

Do Something About It: True compassion leads to action. That might mean standing up for what’s right, helping out in your community, or just being there for someone who needs support.

Conclusion

As we wrap up today’s discussion about the Good Samaritan, let’s recognize that this story ultimately challenges us to reconsider our own moral standing. Just as the lawyer had to confront his own insincerity amidst the call for genuine love, we too must reflect on our lives.

Remember, Jesus drew that story not just to encourage good deeds but to turn us toward accepting His love and grace. We shouldn’t leave this discussion feeling burdened by the requirement to do more; we should rejoice in the grace that allows us to be the innkeepers and the Samaritans in our own stories as we share that love with others.