How Does The Good Samaritan Parable Relate To Life Today

How does the good Samaritan parable relate to life today? Have you been approached by an individual who has appeared homeless? Were you feeling discomfort and tried looking the other way? Did you respond by saying you don’t carry cash on you? What was your reaction to them? Did you help? Change can begin with us by reaching out to the other individual whoever they are, whatever state they are in.

You can be fearful of being approached especially if you are a woman alone, right? I can only speak for myself but I fight an inner battle in my mind and heart every single time. I want to help them but then I question if they will purchase the food they’re asking for or alcohol and drugs. As a Christian, this can be the perfect opportunity to share the gospel.

Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God, I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you, with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

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The Good Samaritan Story From The Bible

And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. 

Now by chance, a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 

He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii, and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back. 

Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise. Luke 10:25-37

How Does the Parable of the Good Samaritan Relate to Life Today?

We live in a broken world with broken hurting people and sometimes it’s hard to know what the right thing to do is especially when we don’t fully understand a situation we aren’t in or have never experienced. However, if you’re like me it can be intimidating to approach someone and say “Do you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?” See, not so confident, are we? 

This should light a fire in us to share the gospel with more urgency. Why do we think we aren’t capable enough? Why do we have ourselves convinced it is only up to our Pastors and Elders to do so?

the Good Samaritan Story and How it Applies Now

As a Country, we’re so “Caught Up,” in our own fast-paced lives to care that people are lost and need direction. Many souls are dying and going to Hell simply because we don’t tell them for fear of rejection.

What is wrong with us? Trust me, this is a reminder for ME also. I’m not just saying YOU need to do YOUR part in telling others about God’s saving grace. I have big ole finger-pointing at me too! We should be begging God to give us opportunities.

God does give us opportunities. He gives them to us every day. If we still have breath in our lungs we need to be telling the lost and hurting world that Jesus Christ loves us enough to die on a Roman Rugged Cross for everyone’s Sins and bore the wrath of God on our behalf.

We don’t deserve God’s grace but he freely extends it to those who will accept it. Jesus Christ loves us unconditionally even when we despise, reject, and turn him away.

God loves us through the storms. The BEST part is he loves us where we are right now in this very moment not where we need to be.

New Perspective On the Good Samaritan Parable

Pastor Greg Locke was in my area a week ago. I have heard the Good Samaritan story preached numerous times but His sermon cut straight to my heart.

I have heard the parable of the good Samaritan story countless times in many services but FINALLY “GOT IT! “I guarantee you that I wasn’t the only one.

Pastor Locke was speaking on how we, “The Church,” aren’t seeking out the lost and hurting in our community.

MANY people are addicted to drugs, alcohol, depression, abuse, etc….. they are broken and need Christ as Lord and Savior. So how does this tie into how the parable relates to you and me today?

5 Specific Ways the Good Samaritan Parable Tells You What To Do Today

1. The Good Samaritan Did NOT Walk Away

In other words, he was actually “DOING” what the Scriptures tell you and me to do. He wasn’t just saying I “NEED” to do this and not following through with actions. Do you understand now how the good samaritan relates to life today?

The good Samaritan was being the hands and feet of Jesus and following Christ’s example of Love and Compassion. If you came across the scene of a man injured and near death what would you do? Help? Walk away?

2. The Good Samaritan Did NOT Care That He Was Considered A Despised Race

Samaritans were considered the lowest of lows as far as race was concerned at this period. Even knowing this he did NOT let that stop him from helping the injured man.

How does the good samaritan relate to life today? How often do you and I not follow this example? We judge by outward appearances if we consider them to be “WORTHY” of lending a helping hand.

3. The Good Samaritan Managed His Finances Well

In Biblical times they had much less as far as the World’s standards are in comparison to today but from the Scriptures they were satisfied. Can we say the same?

As a Nation, we are incredibly spoiled and are always looking for the next BIGGER and BETTER thing to come along instead of helping those worse off than you and I are.

4. The Good Samaritan Was Trustworthy

In any case, I think it’s safe to assume the Samaritan proved he was honest when he showed empathy for the beaten man left on the side of the road.

How Does The Good Samaritan Relate To Life Today?

He helped someone when they needed it even though it was an individual who hated him. If someone has wronged YOU would YOU show the same trustworthiness and help them despite the differences?

5. The Good Samaritan Was Charitable

The injured man was near death when the Good Samaritan found him. Not only did he help him out of the situation, but he took it upon himself to care for him for an extended amount of time.

Nevertheless, this was an individual who basically hated him yet he saw beyond that boundary, and yet he chose to display the path as Christ would honor. Can we say the same? Are you convicted?

Are you an individual who would determine whether or not an injured individual is worthy of showing compassion first or are you fueled by the same love and compassion as Jesus Christ and would help them regardless of his or her “status?”

What is the Main Lesson of the Good Samaritan Story?

Jesus is explaining not only how to love our neighbors, but who our neighbors are. This parable was Jesus’ response to a man who was an expert in the law and was asking Jesus a question he believed he already knew the answer to.

In other words, Christian love does not permit us to choose who we will or will not help, love, and show genuine compassion. We are forbidden from putting people into categories in such a way that we are only responsible for loving “our kind” or “our sort”.

good Samaritan Quotes

We instinctively tend to limit for whom we exert ourselves. We do it for people like us, and for people whom we like. Jesus will have none of that. By depicting a Samaritan helping a Jew, Jesus could not have found a more forceful way to say that anyone at all in need – regardless of race, politics, class, and religion – is your neighbor. Not everyone is your brother or sister in faith, but everyone is your neighbor, and you must love your neighbor.

Timothy Keller

The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: ‘If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?’ But… the good Samaritan reversed the question: ‘If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him? .

Martin Luther King, Jr.

It is at times such as this that we show our true spirit of giving and of brotherhood of revealing the good Samaritan in all of us.

Jo Bonner

A Good Samaritan is not simply one whose heart is touched in an immediate act of care and charity, but one who provides a system of sustained care.

James A. Forbes

My Personal Favorite: Is To Follow Christ’s Compassion

The Samaritan woman grasped what He said with fervor that came from an awareness of her real need. The transaction was fascinating. She has come with a buket. He sent her back with a spring of living water. She had come as a reject. He sent her back being accepted by God Himself. She came wounded. He sent her back whole. She came laden with questions. He sent her back as a source for answers. She came living a life of quiet desperation. She ran back overflowing with hope. The disciples missed it all. It was lunchtime for them.

Ravi Zacharias

If we see someone who needs help, do we stop? There is so much suffering and poverty, and a great need for good Samaritans.

. Pope Francis

He knows of our anguish, and He is there for us. Like the Good Samaritan in His parable, when He finds us wounded at the wayside, He binds up our wounds and cares for us (see Luke 10:34). Brothers and sisters, the healing power of His Atonement is for you, for us, for all.

Sheri L. Dew

Christian love is loving without counting the cost. This is the lesson of the Good Samaritan; this is the lesson of Jesus.

Pope Francis

In the story of the good Samaritan, Jesus not only teaches us to help people in need; more deeply, he teaches us that we cannot identify who “has it”, who is “in” with God, who is “blessed”, by looking at exteriors of any sort. That is a matter of the heart. There alone the kingdom of the heavens and human kingdoms great and small are knit together. Draw any cultural or social line you wish, and God will find his way beyond it.

Dallas Willard

Your Turn

Do you understand the importance of why you shouldn’t just be Good Christian Stewards on Sunday which is a good thing but you need to be reaching people outside the walls of your sanctuary too? As the good samaritan story teaches you can not sit back and stay in your comfort zone as the world around us is hurting and needing to know about Jesus. This should be an eye-opener.

In my opinion, how the good Samaritan relates to life today is this: In comparison, if YOU were the good Samaritan from the story in the Bible in today’s time and found another human being beaten, bruised, bloody, and left for dead…Would YOU pass him or her by like so many others did in the Bible story or would YOU stop and help them? That is between You and the Lord and I Pray that you walk away with the desire to reach the lost and hurting people around you because God wants to use you too.

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