Devotion

The Good Samaritan: A Heart that Sees

"But a Samaritan, as he travelled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him." - Luke 10:33

When the expert in the law asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbour?" he was likely seeking a boundary—a clear definition of where his obligation ended. Perhaps he hoped Jesus would give him a manageable list: family, friends, fellow Jews. Instead, Jesus told a story that would shatter every comfortable boundary the man had constructed.

The parable begins with a man traveling the dangerous road from Jerusalem to Jericho, a journey that required courage even in the best of times. Robbers attacked him, stripped him, beat him, and left him half dead. Three people would encounter this broken man, but only one would truly see him.

The priest saw the wounded man and passed by on the other side. So did the Levite. These were religious leaders, men who knew the law and taught others about loving God. Yet when faced with raw human need, they chose safety, schedule, or ceremonial cleanliness over compassion.

How often do we do the same? We see the homeless person on the corner, the struggling single mother, the lonely elderly neighbour, and we find reasons to pass by. We're busy, we rationalise. Someone else will help. We have our own problems to worry about.

But the Samaritan—despised by Jews, considered a religious outsider—saw the same beaten man and was moved with compassion. This wasn't mere pity; it was love that compelled action.

The Samaritan didn't just feel sorry for the man. He stopped. He knelt down. He poured oil and wine on the wounds—expensive remedies from his own supplies. He lifted the stranger onto his own donkey, took him to an inn, and paid for his care. The next day, he gave the innkeeper additional money and promised to cover any extra expenses.

This wasn't convenient love. It was costly love.

Jesus asked the expert in the law which of the three men was a neighbour to the wounded man. The answer was obvious: "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus' reply cuts to the heart: "Go and do likewise."

The parable reveals that the question isn't "Who is my neighbor?" but rather "Am I being a neighbor?" Neighbourliness isn't about proximity or similarity—it's about having eyes that see suffering and a heart willing to respond.

The Samaritan reminds us that love crosses every boundary we try to erect. Race, religion, politics, social status—none of these matter when someone is hurting and we have the power to help.

In our world of endless distractions and deep divisions, the parable of the Good Samaritan calls us to revolutionary compassion. It challenges us to:

See beyond our assumptions. The Samaritan was supposedly the "wrong" person to be the hero of this story, yet he alone embodied God's love. Who have we written off as unlikely instruments of grace?

Act despite inconvenience. Compassion often comes at personal cost—time, money, comfort, security. The Samaritan was willing to sacrifice for a stranger.

Love without limits. Our neighbour isn't just the person who looks like us, votes like us, or believes like us. Our neighbour is anyone in need whom we have the power to help.

Trust in God's provision. The Samaritan gave generously, trusting that his needs would be met. When we give out of love, God multiplies our resources.

Lord Jesus, give us eyes to see the wounded along our path. Break our hearts for what breaks yours. Help us to stop when others pass by, to kneel when others stand apart, to give when others withhold. Make us neighbours to all who suffer, crossing every boundary that separates us from those in need. Let our love be costly, our compassion genuine, and our service a reflection of your endless mercy. Amen.

Blessings!

Will Wallace

Principal