Watch a news broadcast and the term “Good Samaritan” is often carelessly tossed around. Politicians who are attempting to gain favor with the faith-based crowd love to use the term as well. Regrettably, a term coined by Jesus is used incorrectly in the majority of instances. Jesus warned us that His parables would be misunderstood by the proud and arrogant.
Let’s take a few minutes today and reconsider the meaning of the parable of the good Samaritan.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan has a specific meaning and it’s rarely interpreted correctly. Although kindness, generosity, and compassion are mentioned in the text, the parable runs much deeper. The Parable of the Good Samaritan is an indictment against human nature. It leaves us defenseless in light of the holiness of God. Jesus proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that we need a savior.
What Shall I Do To Inherit Eternal Life?
This is probably the most important question that a person could ask. Unfortunately, the person asking the question of Jesus was disingenuous and was using it as a way to trick Him.
Luke 10:25 (NIV) On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
When reading this parable or hearing it preached keep this question in mind at all times. It’s easy to lose track of the original question and to get lost in the details of the story.
Jesus answered the question by quoting the Law. He didn’t provide grace as He did to others. It was obvious that this person was full of pride, and arrogance, and was smugly self-righteous.
He needed the Law.
The lawyer was fully persuaded that he had kept the law perfectly. In his overzealous opinion, he was sure that he had loved God with all of his heart, soul, mind, and strength. He was pretty sure that he had also loved his neighbor correctly as well.
He just needed to ask a clarifying question.
Luke 10:29 (NIV) But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
Oh boy. It’s about to get real, friends.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
Luke 10:30-35 (NIV)
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 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.’
The Original Question
Remember the initial question from the lawyer was “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” The follow-up question was “and who is my neighbor?”
We of course have the benefit of hindsight. Salvation is by grace and through faith. That was not apparent before the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. Here’s a link to a great article featuring Bible Verses About Grace.
So we return to the Law.
Jesus provided a detailed account of a mugging victim. Neither the priest nor the Levite assisted the victim. The expert in the law would have been easily tracking this story.
Even a refusal to help the victim could have been justified by some of the hard-nosed Pharisees.
Matthew 5:43 You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.
The parable continues. This is where Jesus begins to stir the pot.
Luke 10:33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.
Jews and Samaritans Were Enemies
The unwillingness of the priest (house of Aaron) or the Levite to help the victim is not the point of the story. Non-Christians attempt to toss this in the face of Christians but they’re simply proving their ignorance of parables.
The Samaritan deciding to help is a provocation made by Jesus. He often used extreme language in parables to shake the listeners. Including a Samaritan as the “good guy” arrested the attention of the Lawyer.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Is Not About Money)
The Samaritan spent about two full days’ wages on a stranger. He also told the innkeeper to put anything else on his tab. The Samaritan was being extremely generous.
Was this adequate to “earn” salvation though? Does a person simply need to find one needy person and then pay for their healthcare for a week or two?
That’s the type of question we should be considering. How much is enough? Is there a magic number of giving that one can reach to be safe?
Nope.
Salvation cannot be earned and it’s never deserved. The richest person in the world could donate billions of dollars and it would not matter at all when it comes to salvation.
Here’s an article that I wrote about the Grace of Giving. Giving is a vital component of Christianity but it’s not a way to salvation.
What’s The Point of The Good Samaritan
We could spend every moment of our lives helping others and we’d still be infected with sin. Spending every penny we earn to help the poor could be noble but it doesn’t get us closer to eternity.
Without Jesus, we’re lost and doomed. Jesus came to save sinners. His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension were necessary for salvation.
Once again Jesus hammered home that point.
Jesus Flipping The Script
Jesus answered the first question. There’s nothing that we can do to inherit eternal life. Salvation is by grace and it’s through faith. We accept the gift of salvation provided by Jesus and submit to His Lordship.
Jesus flipped the script on the second question though.
Luke 10:36 (NIV) “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
To act in this manner, where it’s up to us to be the neighbor, requires revolutionary generosity. Revolutionary generosity requires a different mindset. Are you prepared to optimize income, scrutinize spending, rightsize risk, and more?
If so, we’d love to help!
I dare you to profit!
Timothy Kiser is the author of The Profit Dare and Floating Axes and No Taxes. He’s a former youth pastor, short-term missionary, and church planter. He manages a multi-billion-dollar portfolio for a Fortune 100 company. He speaks at churches and ministries sharing simple financial solutions that inspire savvy stewardship.
