The parable of the Good Samaritan is probably the best known of all of Jesus’ parables. Even those that don’t know Jesus will refer to compassionate people as “a Good Samaritan.” But this story is far more incredible than we might realize. See, in the parable, a Jewish man was beaten by robbers and left for dead. Two other Jewish men – both of which held a religious office – passed him by. But a Samaritan – an outcast in the Jewish mind – stopped and cared for him. Jesus calls us to extend compassion to all that need it – even if they look differently, speak differently, act differently, or even believe differently.
