The Jericho Road

What is a Good Samaritan?

The purpose of a parable was to teach a deep moral lesson. Jesus told these stories to stir up their hearts and bring them to a new understanding and awakening. The parable of the Good Samaritan has deep and unique truths.

We need to remember that Jesus brought attention to the Samaritans a number of times throughout His ministry; most notable was the Samaritan woman at the well that Jesus planned and purposed to minister to. This visit was out of His way; not on the normal route back to Galilee. “He departed again to Galilee, but “needed” to go through Samaria.” This means a necessary divine appointment. It was in His heart to restore the broken relationship between the Jews and the Samaritans.

The conversation between the lawyer and Jesus in Luke 10:25 is very similar to the conversation He had with the rich young ruler in Mark 10. They were both concerned about their eternal destiny. They had followed the law, yet felt they needed to be assured all was well with their eternity. It was then the lawyer wanted to know “who is my neighbor?” Who is it that we are to love as ourselves?

All those who heard the parable that day knew exactly what was being taught. It was no mistake that Jesus used the road to Jericho in this parable. The road that went from Jerusalem to Jericho was about 18 miles long. When He says a certain man went DOWN to Jericho…it is very literal. The elevation in Jerusalem is 2,600, and in Jericho it is 800! That is a very steep decline!

It was also notorious for crime; a route lined with thieves waiting to prey on the travelers. Most of the people were well off and on their way to the well known oasis in the desert….Jericho. It was a resort but the sea, an area that was an attraction for the rich.

There is a certain man that was brutally attacked, stripped and left for dead. He is seen by three different men; a priest, a Levite, and finally a certain Samaritan. The first two are those from the “religious community” Both of them would be identified as knowing the law with having those titles; yet it says “they looked, and passed by on the other side.” This tells me that they went out of their way to avoid him by walking on the other side of the road.

Now comes the “certain Samaritan” that when he saw him, he had compassion. So much compassion that he not only bandaged his wounds, poured oil and wine for healing; but brought him on his own donkey (which means he himself walked) to an inn so that he had a safe place to recover. He made sure the innkeeper had extra money to care for him, and stated he would pay back any extra that it cost him.

We read these parables and somehow miss the truth that Jesus wants all of us to hear. He is calling out the religious spirit in all of us. It’s easy to have such a spirit. We know our God, we know the word, we fellowship and tithe…but do we “crossover on the other side” pretending not to see the beaten, the broken, those left for dead?

The Samaritans were considered half breeds by the Jews. There was a lot of “bad blood” between them, and they became despised. Jesus took great pains to restore this breach in His short ministry on earth. He purposed to go certain ways to meet them; as He did with healing lepers, restoring those in adultery and others that lived in despised lifestyles. Grace and mercy were extended to all.

Did every single one Jesus healed repent and follow His ways for the rest of their lives? We really don’t know, and it doesn’t matter. What matters is that we take Jesus example and live out His command “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations….” We are not given a guarantee of someone’s response, that is between them and the Lord.

Discipling is teaching and mentoring others. It is not condemning and pushing others into a religious box of laws. Sadly, I’m seeing more of this today. If you do not read a specific Bible, worship on their given day, or say the right Hebrew titles…you are somewhat of a lost “pagan Christian” All that this strict yoke of laws does, is further separate and cause division within the body. This is the opposite of the gospel. Remember He called all those who were weary and heavy laden? They were laden with the yoke of the law!

I do not want to be that certain priest or Levite. I want to be the certain Samaritan; the one that is overcome with compassion, one that will bind up the brokenness; and pour out the oil and wine of Holy Spirit healing into their lives.