The Good Samaritan

In Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan,
he contrasts the selfishness of the
religious leaders, who walked on by,
with the gentleness and compassion of
the despised Samaritan. Acts 10:25

Compassion is a combination of love,
and care, and the desire to help.
Sometimes the word pity is use for
compassion. But true compassion goes
beyond pity and is a willingness to
get involved in the problems of suffer-
ing people.

Jesus gave a wonderful example of com-
passion in his parable of the Good
Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). A man that
had been beaten was ignored by a priest
and a levite, who were both "religious"
people who should have helped him. But
later a Samaritan, someone who should
have been an enemy, saw the man was
in trouble and had compassion on him.
The Samaritan bound the man's wounds,
paid for a hotel room where he could
recuperate, and promised to check back
in on him.

After telling this story, Jesus said
that we were to "go, and do likewise."
In what ways can you apply the principle
that Jesus taught? Are you compassionate,
or only when it is convenient for you?
who are some people you know who could
use some compassion.