The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)
One day, a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Jesus, as He often did, answered with a question: “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?”
The lawyer replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, love your neighbor as yourself.”
“You have answered correctly,” Jesus said. “Do this and you will live.”
But the lawyer, wanting to justify himself, asked, “And who is my neighbor?”
Jesus then told a parable:
A man was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him, and left him half-dead on the side of the road.
A priest happened to be going down the same road. When he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.
So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw the man, passed by on the other side.
But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him, bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
The next day, he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. “Look after him,” he said, “and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.”
Jesus then turned to the lawyer and asked, “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
The lawyer replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
Lesson:
Jesus was teaching that being a good neighbor is not about nationality, race, or religious status. The Samaritan, despite being from a group despised by Jews, was the one who showed true love and mercy. He cared for the wounded man selflessly, setting an example of what it means to love others.
This story challenges us to put aside prejudice, practice compassion, and actively help those in need—just as Jesus commanded.
Would you like me to continue writing all 20 stories in a single document, or should I provide them one by one?
