Virtually every state has what might be referred to as “Good Samaritan Laws.” Such laws are in place to protect citizens from civil liability when helping those in need during an emergency. These laws draw their name from a parable that Jesus taught. A certain lawyer “had tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 10:25). This lawyer was an expert in the Mosaic law (the first five books of the Old Testament), so Christ asked him “What is written in the law?” (Luke 10:26). In so asking, the Lord affirmed that the law was both instructive and authoritative in this matter.
The lawyer answered and said “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.” There was no debate about the lawyer’s answer. He hit the nail on the head, so our Lord tells him, “Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live” (Luke 10:27-28).
It is evident that the lawyer suspected that he had fallen short when it came to his neighbor. In fact, the Scriptures record that “he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29). No doubt, he was hoping for a small group of people he could count as neighbors and his obligations under the law would be few. But Jesus had a response that he did not expect.
It is at this point that Jesus shares the parable of the Good Samaritan (as we’ve come to know it). “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side” (Luke 10:30-31). The priest, who would naturally be expected to help the man, crossed the street choosing to not get involved.
A Levite, one who is engaged in duties pertaining the temple, actually was more at fault than the priest. He actually “came and looked on him” (Luke 10:32). The Levite literally walked away from the beaten man having first looked closely at his circumstances.
Finally, the Lord tells of a third passer-by, a Samaritan. Now Samaritans had nothing to do with Jews and Jews had nothing to do with Samaritans (John 4:9), which makes his response all the more remarkable. “But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him” (Luke 10:33-34). The Samaritan even paid the innkeeper an additional amount if any more expenses were incurred by him in caring for the man.
Jesus now asked the lawyer which of these three was “neighbor” to this man. The lawyer answered, no doubt with conviction, “he that showed mercy,” our good Samaritan. Jesus then told the lawyer “Go, and do thou likewise” (Luke 10:37).
In light of our Lord’s teaching, who is your neighbor?
From the Chaplain 