When is the “Parable of the Good Samaritan” not the “Parable of the Good Samaritan?” 

When we actually hear Jesus’ question at the end of his teaching story, “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” (Luke 10:36, NIV). There were three passersby; a Jewish priest, a Levite (another Jewish religious leader), and a Samaritan (Jew of mixed ethnic origin discriminated against by Jesus’ first century Jewish audience). But there was only one object of the three’s actions, the highway robbery victim. 

It’s the robbery victim, not the Samaritan, who’s the intended focus of the story. It’s the robbery victim who lies broken and hurting in the ditch. It’s the robbery victim whose life hangs in the balance. It’s the robbery victim that’s in great need. This is his story; and he lives to tell about it because of the “open-handed” generosity of the Samaritan.

And it’s always the robbery victim’s shoes that best fit our feet. We too are in great need of a savior! And it is God’s open-handed generosity that saves us! 

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God… The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord!” (Romans 3:23, 6:23, NIV)

Your partner on the journey,

Pastor Steve