Luke 10:30-37

Do you want to be like Jesus? You had better learn to love everyone, even those you or society have decided to look down upon. God loves each and every person, all nationalities, all without partiality, we must do the same. If we do not show mercy, in the form of doing, we will not be shown mercy. When we give of our time and money to those in need we build up lasting treasure in heaven where nothing can destroy it. Not all who say they knew Jesus will be acknowledged by Him in His kingdom. It will be those who did that which He commanded…Love your neighbor as yourself.

Part of the beauty of the story of the Good Samaritan is the reversal of stereotypes. The priest and Levite traditionally would have been the "good guys." The Samaritan would have been a "bad guy," a person who compromised in religious matters. However, the Samaritan knew how to treat his neighbor. The neighbor here was not someone the Samaritan knew or even someone of the same race, just someone in need. The central issue is not determining who one's neighbor is, but being a good neighbor to all.

10:30 Then Jesus answered and said: "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.' 36 So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?"

37 And he said, "He who showed mercy on him."

Then Jesus said to him,
"Go and do likewise."