Part 3: Mercy for the Suffering — The Good Samaritan
Mercy is not just something we receive—it’s something we’re called to give. In Luke 10, Jesus tells one of His most famous parables: the story of the Good Samaritan. It’s more than a moral tale—it’s a lesson in compassion in action.
The parable begins with a question from a religious expert:
“And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29)
Jesus answers not with doctrine, but with a story:
A man is beaten and left for dead. Two religious leaders see him but pass by—perhaps out of fear, pride, or inconvenience. But then comes a Samaritan—someone considered an outsider and enemy by Jewish standards. He stops, binds the wounds, pays for care, and promises to return.
At the end, Jesus asks:
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
The answer: “The one who showed him mercy.” (Luke 10:36–37)
Mercy That Costs Something
The Samaritan didn’t help from a distance. He didn’t pray and walk away. He got close. He touched wounds. He gave his time, his oil, his money—and maybe even risked his safety. This is what mercy looks like.
“I desire mercy, not sacrifice.”
— Matthew 9:13
Religious performance means nothing if it’s not accompanied by compassion.
Who Is Your Neighbor?
We are surrounded by people who are hurting—some in obvious ways, others silently. Mercy is not selective. It doesn’t ask, “Do they deserve it?” It doesn’t ask, “Will it be convenient?” Mercy sees pain and responds with presence.
Jesus ends the parable not with a theological point, but a command:
“Go and do likewise.”
— Luke 10:37
Reflection Questions
- Why do you think the priest and Levite passed by the wounded man?
- What might mercy look like in your daily life—at work, in your neighborhood, or online?
- Who do you find it difficult to show mercy to? Why?
Scripture for Study
- Luke 10:25–37
- Hosea 6:6
- Matthew 9:13
- James 2:13
Closing Prayer
Jesus, teach me to see others as You see them.
Help me not just to feel compassion, but to act in mercy. Give me a heart that stops, notices, and loves, even when it costs me something.
Amen.