The Living Word: A Daily Devotional with Jeff & Dale from The Jenkins Institute

Week 27, Friday: Charitable

re you a good neighbor? That’s the real point of this parable. It’s not “who” is my neighbor (Luke 10:29), but am I a good neighbor towards everyone, no matter who they are? Jesus was not limiting who one’s neighbor is, but instead, be the kind of neighbor you ought to be towards everyone you meet. After telling the story, Jesus asked, “Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” (Luke 10:36, ESV). The lawyer answered, “The one who showed him mercy. And Jesus said to him, ‘You go, and do likewise’” (Luke 10:37, ESV).

Week 27, Thursday: Consideration

The Samaritan shows considerable unselfishness. Look at four unselfish deeds the Samaritan did for this wounded man: First, he bound up his wounds. He may have shredded some of his own clothing to make the bandages. He might have carried the oil and wine for meal provisions or to supply his own injury needs, but instead used them on this hurt man. Second, he set him on his own beast, likely the one he had been riding himself. Third, he brought him to an inn where they could find shelter and help. Usually, he would spend the night outside and save the cost. But a wounded man needed more adequate accommodations than a healthy traveler. Fourth, he took care of him. He did not leave the man immediately. He spent the rest of the day and night caring for this man. 1 There is nothing like having a fellow human being with you for support and comfort.

Week 27, Wednesday: Compassion

To be compassionate is to be sympathetic toward someone. Out of the Samaritan’s pity, he provided help. Being a good neighbor cares, even when it costs. The Samaritan went to the wounded man, poured oil and wine onto his wounds, and bandaged him. He was practicing the golden rule (Matthew 7:12). He was doing for this man what he would have wanted someone to do for him if he were in the same situation.

Week 27, Tuesday: Caring

The Samaritan helped the man because he was hurt and needed assistance. He was going to be neighborly towards this man, whether he was a Jew or a Samaritan. He did not show respect for persons (cf. James 2:1). We might think that showing care towards someone of the same skin color, nationality, or religious convictions, or anyone who is not considered our enemy, is being neighborly. Jesus tells this story about the Samaritan to demonstrate that being neighborly is much greater than that. The Samaritans were different from the Jews in race, nationality, and religion. There were tremendous hostilities between them. “For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans” (John 4:9, ESV). In spite of these hostilities, this Samaritan was going to care for this Jewish man who needed help.

Week 27, Monday: The Characters

ach person plays an important role in the overall message Jesus is teaching. First, look at the lawyer. He asked Jesus a question, “to put him to the test,” asking what one must do to have eternal life. Jesus responds by asking, “What does the Bible say?” The lawyer quotes Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18, and Jesus says, “That’s right.” “But he, desiring to justify himself,” asked, “Who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:25-29, ESV). This question generates the parable. And we will see this week that the lawyer asked the wrong question. Asking the right question is important.