In the Gospel of Luke you find the parable of the Good Samaritan. A parable told by Jesus. A traveller (who may or may not have been a Jew) is stripped of clothing, beaten, and left half dead along the road. First a priest and then a Levite come by, but both avoid the man. Finally, a Samaritan comes by. Samaritans and Jews generally despised each other, but the Samaritan helps the injured man. Jesus is described as telling the parable in response to a question regarding the identity of the “neighbour”, whom Leviticus says should be loved.
The parable has inspired painting, sculpture, satire, poetry, and film. The phrase “good Samaritan”, meaning someone who helps a stranger, derives from this parable, and many hospitals and charitable organizations are named after the Good Samaritan.
A Post on Facebook inspired me to look up the “Good Samaritan” because there seems to be a connection we might learn from in today’s world. Wikipedia was helpful.
It makes sense to me that Christians today might be called upon to consider our Muslin brothers as the “neighbour” whom Leviticus said should be loved. Today more than ever we need “Good Samaritans” to step up and defend or simply lend a hand to a brother in need.
Lord, please give us direction as we navigate our confused world and help us all be “Good Samaritans” to our neighbours in need. Amen.
