Being a Good Samaritan is Impossible

James Janknegt painting, 'Portrait of You as the Good Samaritan.'

The Parable of the Good Samaritan is one Jesus' most well known and well loved stories. Even those with little-to-no Church experience know this story. The phrase, 'be a Good Samaritan' has entered our cultural lexicon. Parents encourage their children to be 'Good Samaritans' and help others in need.

At Church, this story usually ends up with an application like this: 'Anyone in need is your neighbor. Be sure and help them.' And we leave Church reminded that we are to care for everyone.

I love what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote about this familiar story...
'The first question which the Priest and the Levite asked was, 'If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?'  But the Good Samaritan reversed the question, 'If I do not stop and help this man, what will happen to him?'

Jesus ends this story -found in Luke 10- with a challenge to 'go and do likewise.' Did you catch it? Jesus wants us to follow the Good Samaritan's example of radical selfless compassion.

The truth of the matter is that sometimes the most familiar stories are also the most difficult to understand.

It is impossible to be a Good Samaritan to everyone who is in need.  And that is exactly the point of this story.

Jesus wants us to realize that our standard is impossible to achieve....

...to be continued...