America in the Kingdom Parables

C.O. Stadslkev - 1959

The Good Samaritan

Luke 10:30-37

    When we realize the significance of the truth that the man who helped the one who had been stripped, wounded, and left half dead by the thieves was a "certain Samaritan," the Parable of the Good Samaritan opens up and sets forth its long range prophecy as well as its Christian principles of kindness, mercy, pity and good deeds.

   The priest and the Levite who had passed by on the other side represented religion without the Christian spirit of kindness, mercy, and pity for those in distress.

   There is a sense in which any person can be a good Samaritan. But why did the Lord say "a certain Samaritan?" Why did He not merely say "a certain man" as He did in the case of the one who was robbed and left to die?

   The Greek definition of the word "Samaritan" is an inhabitant of Samaria. When we realize that Samaria was the capitol of ten-tribed Israel after they had broken away from the Judah kingdom it becomes apparent that the Parable of the Good Samaritan is a long range prophecy as well as a parable on kindness and mercy.

   The Parable of the Good Samaritan came as the result of a tempting question put to Jesus by a certain antagonistic lawyer.

   In Luke 10:25-29 we read, "And behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law: how readest thou?

   "And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with ail thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor?"

   Now we come to the parable as recorded in verses 30 through 35: "Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

   "And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.

   "But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee."

   After giving this parable Jesus asked the lawyer, "Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise."

   The fact that Jesus said "Go, and do thou likewise" shows that this is not a parable on personal salvation for personal salvation has never been and never can be by good deeds. Furthermore, if Jesus had meant to have the good Samaritan represent Himself He would not have said "Go, and do thou likewise," for no mortal can do what Jesus did. He alone could and did die for the sins of the world. Therefore the Parable of the Good Samaritan is not a parable on personal salvation but rather a prophecy showing that the people who at one time held Samaria as their national capitol would in due time become history's great benefactors, building mission stations, schools, and hospitals throughout the earth.

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