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 two 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 the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

In true Jesus fashion, he answers this man’s question with a parable and then a question. Neighbors in the Bible are not just the “next door” variety, but anyone along our paths in need. The Good Samaritan loved his neighbor as himself. How did he love him? First he had a heart that empathized with the hurting man — he took pity on him. His heart was focused on the needs of others first, before his own needs. Then he bandaged his wounds. This is so that the bleeding would stop and the healing process could begin. But suppose this badly injured man refused the help. What would we think of him but a fool! Sadly, so many are wounded in this world and refuse the help of The Healer, Jesus Christ to bind up their wounds and stop the bleeding. Next the Good Samaritan watched over the hurting man and provided for him. And finally, he handed him off to the innkeeper to care for him and paid for his care.

Jesus watches over us like sheep, and if one is in trouble he finds it and brings it back into the fold. He does not make excuses for himself, in order to not have to exert effort. He does not dismiss the problem as not his problem. Instead, he acts!

And finally, he provides brothers and sisters in the faith to disciple us and bring us into a healthy relationship with him. Kind of like the hand-off to the innkeeper. Yes, the story of the Good Samaritan is a parable, and it is also a good picture of what Jesus does for each of us.

Lord, thank you for this model of how to love my neighbor. May I set aside my agenda for earthly wealth, power, and prestige and simply be available to do your work each day!