One of the most strikingly modern stories in all of Scripture is the Parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25–37. Though told two thousand years ago, it speaks directly to today’s world of racism, injustice, bullying, poverty, inequality, and deep social division. At the center of these issues lies a question about love—who deserves it, and how far it must go.
The story begins with a “lawyer,” an expert in Old Testament law and a religious scholar, approaching Jesus. His question—“What must I do to inherit eternal life?”—was meant to test Jesus, yet it echoes a universal human longing. People everywhere wrestle with eternity and wonder how sinful humans can stand before a holy God.
Instead of answering outright, Jesus asked him, “What is written in the Law?” The lawyer correctly summarized Scripture: love God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus affirmed him: “Do this and you will live.”
But the weight of that command exposes our failure. The purpose of the law is not to reveal our goodness but to show how far short we fall. Rather than confess this, the lawyer sought a loophole and asked, “And who is my neighbor?” He wanted limits and definitions. Jesus responded with a story.
A man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho was attacked, robbed, beaten, and left half dead—a picture of a broken, violent world. Sin leaves people helpless and unable to save themselves. The thieves’ attitude was, “What’s yours is mine, and I’ll take it.”
A priest and a Levite passed by next. These religious leaders saw the wounded man but walked away. Their response demonstrates that knowledge of Scripture does not automatically produce compassion. Religion can inform the mind without transforming the heart. Their attitude was, “What’s mine is mine, and I’ll keep it.”
Then came a Samaritan—someone despised and rejected by the Jews. Yet he was moved with compassion. He treated the man’s wounds, carried him to safety, paid for his care, and promised to return. His posture was, “What’s mine is yours, and I will share it.”
Jesus reframed the lawyer’s question. The issue is not determining who qualifies as a neighbor but choosing to be one. The Samaritan points us to Christ, who saw us wounded by sin and did not pass by. He came near, bore our cost, and gave what only He could provide.
There are takers, keepers, and givers in this world. Jesus is the ultimate Giver—and He calls His followers to live the same way.
That’s what I see modeled in the Kentucky Baptist Disaster Relief ministry. KYDR volunteers are givers and serve those in need without regard for race, religion, social status, politics, or nationality.
All people are precious to God; therefore, they are our neighbors. And when we go, we meet remarkable people who change our lives as much as we impact theirs. The attitude is always, “What’s mine is yours, and I will share it.”
Learn more about the disaster relief ministry at www.kybaptist.org/dr.
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