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.

Atkinson Congregational Church will be hosting its “Ashes to Go” on Ash Wednesday, March 2, 2022, between 8-9 a.m. and 4-5 p.m.

Jesus did a lot of His teaching in parables. A parable is a short story that gives us a picture of who God is and how He wants us to live our lives. He once told a parable about two men who each decided to build a home. One built on a rock while the other built on sand. When a storm ripped through, the house built on sand crumbled because the foundation was weak. But the house built on the rock stood. Jesus’ point is that what we build our life on matters. If we build it on the firm foundation of who God is and what He has done, we’ll have His strength to endure the hard times. But if we build it on anything but Him, our foundation will be weak and we won’t be able to endure.