“Which now of these three thinkest thou was neighbor unto him that fell among thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go and do thou likewise” (Luke 10:36-37).

The Master Teacher used powerful illustrations to help people understand spiritual truth. The road from Jerusalem to Jericho was a place of robbery and danger. Everyone knew that! The Lord Jesus tells of the traveler who sure enough was met by robbers who beat him, stripped him of his clothes, and left him half dead (Luke 10:30). A certain priest and Levite came along and passed by without getting involved. Of all the unlikely people to help, a Samaritan passed by and stopped! He treated the injured traveler with compassion, administered first aid, loaded him up on his own means of transportation, and promised to pay the innkeeper for any expenses. Incredible, isn’t it? The Lord Jesus then asked the question as to who really is the neighbor? Of course the answer is the one who shows compassion or mercy. We will need to exercise great discernment in helping people. But certainly there are those who need your compassionate help in their lives.

For today: How can we be “Good Samaritans” today?