The parable of the Good Samaritan is one of the more popular parables of the Lord. It does not use more words but more actions. The Samaritan must have been a very good man. He goes out of his way to save a half-dead traveler; someone he doesn’t even know and who belongs to a social group considered outcasts. Without any hesitation, the Samaritan does everything expected from a good man. As he saw the bloodied person on the roadside, he was moved with compassion for the suffering fellow human being. He provided effective needed assistance to the victim.
He brought him to an inn and personally took care of the man. He even gave money to the innkeeper and promised to pay if it is not enough. He took full responsibility for the victim.
Jesus concludes his parable, “Go and do likewise.” This is a command of the Lord is not in the abstract but one which shows us a pattern of life. It is not a request. It is imperative in the life of a Christian. For Jesus, love is to do good to others. It is not a sweet feeling that does not change anything about the situation. The good people are those who give effective help to others. It is in reaching out to others and being one with them in their times of need that we discover the beautiful meaning of life. People like the Good Samaritan can change the world.
