I'd imagine all of us have read the parable of the Good Samaritan.
30 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."
Not an unusual occurrence in that context. After all, the road from Jerusalem to Jericho was called "The Way of Blood" or the "Ascent of Blood", which was either due to the coloring of the rocks along the road, or the fact that many people shed blood from robbers and bandits on this road.
Either way, this road was notorious for being dangerous.
Not important but worth noting: Jericho is geographically north of Jerusalem, but you always go "up to Jerusalem".
31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side."
It almost makes sense that a priest would have nothing to do with the "half dead" man in this parable, as they wouldn't want to risk becoming unclean.
The man is also stripped of his clothes, which adds a layer of discomfort for the passerby.
There could be more robbers.
The man could be a decoy/trap.
The priest and the Levite may have important errands to run.
Really, you can make whatever excuses you want for these men, but the fact remains that they are in a unique position to offer mercy... and they refuse to do so. If you read the study I did on the John 7:1-24, then perhaps you remember Jesus prioritizing mercy. He made a man's body well on the Sabbath. If it is in our power to help a person, then perhaps we are out of excuses for not doing so.
33 But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 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. 35 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.’"
Understand the significance of Jesus making the Samaritan the protagonist in this story... it would have scandalized his hearers.
One of the most important questions we can ask ourselves, as Christians, is this: "Who is my neighbor? And what is my obligation to them?" (See Luke 10:29)
The Samaritan "ἐσπλαγχνίσθη" or "was moved with compassion". This word is unique, in that it is especially used in the New Testament to convey compassion experienced by Jesus.
A good example of this verb is in the story of the Raising of the Widow's Son at Nain. "And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her" - he was moved in his guts is a good way to translate that verb, as well. It is such a powerful compassion that when it occurs with Jesus, it always leads to an act of mercy or compassion.
Notice the lavishness of mercy the Samaritan shows to this man: 1. binds his wounds 2. picks him up and sets him on his own animal 3. takes him to an inn 4. takes additional care of him 5. pays the innkeeper to take care of him 6. guarantees additional payment upon his return.
36 "Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him,“You go, and do likewise.”
There are a few ways you can understand yourself in this story.
You are the man that is attacked, in desperate need of God's lavish, action-oriented compassion.
You are the priest, passing by on the other side.
You are the Levi, passing by on the other side.
You are the Good Samaritan. (Jesus is obviously ultimate example of the Good Samaritan) Rather, you should be the Good Samaritan. That is how Jesus asks us to live in relationship to our neighbors.
I think the Church, as a whole, could understand itself as the innkeeper. We have received lavish mercy. Now, the Lord is bringing us those that have been beaten down from traveling along a dangerous road.
He is telling us -- the innkeepers of His grace -- to care for these people. Note: We don't do these things because we want to receive His love, but rather, because we have already experienced the richness of His love.
But here's a promise, as we seek to love our neighbors: We CANNOT out-give Jesus. And whatever we spend, He will repay when He comes back.