Thou shall love thy neighbor
as thyself: I am the Lord.
Leviticus 19:18
He was a man who changed the course of history...
as thyself: I am the Lord.
Leviticus 19:18
He was a man who changed the course of history...
His name? No one knows. In the Scriptures, he's simply referred to as a "Samaritan." What did he do that was so noteworthy and significant? He stopped to give assistance to a man who was the victim of a violent crime.
The would be victim, according to the Bible, was traveling on foot from Jerusalem to the city of Jericho. It was a distance of maybe 15 to 20 miles. Obviously he was carrying money in order to buy food along the way, and maybe enough money for an overnight stay at a roadside inn, as well. Nowadays, we would call it a motel.
Unfortunately for this unnamed traveler, he got mugged. Robbers jumped him, stripped him of his clothes, and beat him almost to death. Sprawled on the ground and obviously unconscious, other travelers passed him by, but along came a Samaritan.
Although strangers, the Samaritan stopped to give first aid to the wounded man. He bandaged the victim's wounds after pouring oil and wine on them, as this was a type of antiseptic. The Samaritan then placed the man on his donkey and brought him to a nearby inn to be taken care of, all at the Samaritan's expense.
The biblical account, as found in Luke's gospel, tells us the Samaritan, when he saw the man, was moved with compassion and thus rendered assistance as best he could. He didn't hesitate to get involved. Thus, he became the perfect example of what neighborly love is all about, helping the hurting and doing acts of kindness to those who need it.
But how did this kindhearted Samaritan impact history and humanity? Think about it. As a result of his charitable actions, the term "Good Samaritan" was born. Think how many hospitals and medical facilities have been named after him. How many civic organizations including law enforcement agencies all throughout the world regularly hand out Good Samaritan awards to those whom they believe deserve them?
This compassionate man whose name no one knows ended up creating a movement that functions to this very day. By coming to the aid of the victim of a violent crime, his example of true neighborly love has now lived on for two thousand years, and it will continue to live on.
D.B.
The story of the good Samaritan
can be found in Luke's gospel account:
Luke 10:25-37
The would be victim, according to the Bible, was traveling on foot from Jerusalem to the city of Jericho. It was a distance of maybe 15 to 20 miles. Obviously he was carrying money in order to buy food along the way, and maybe enough money for an overnight stay at a roadside inn, as well. Nowadays, we would call it a motel.
Unfortunately for this unnamed traveler, he got mugged. Robbers jumped him, stripped him of his clothes, and beat him almost to death. Sprawled on the ground and obviously unconscious, other travelers passed him by, but along came a Samaritan.
Although strangers, the Samaritan stopped to give first aid to the wounded man. He bandaged the victim's wounds after pouring oil and wine on them, as this was a type of antiseptic. The Samaritan then placed the man on his donkey and brought him to a nearby inn to be taken care of, all at the Samaritan's expense.
The biblical account, as found in Luke's gospel, tells us the Samaritan, when he saw the man, was moved with compassion and thus rendered assistance as best he could. He didn't hesitate to get involved. Thus, he became the perfect example of what neighborly love is all about, helping the hurting and doing acts of kindness to those who need it.
But how did this kindhearted Samaritan impact history and humanity? Think about it. As a result of his charitable actions, the term "Good Samaritan" was born. Think how many hospitals and medical facilities have been named after him. How many civic organizations including law enforcement agencies all throughout the world regularly hand out Good Samaritan awards to those whom they believe deserve them?
This compassionate man whose name no one knows ended up creating a movement that functions to this very day. By coming to the aid of the victim of a violent crime, his example of true neighborly love has now lived on for two thousand years, and it will continue to live on.
D.B.
The story of the good Samaritan
can be found in Luke's gospel account:
Luke 10:25-37
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