Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?

Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers? (Luke 10:36)

The closing question of the Parable of the Good Samaritan was a good one: Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?

The first to come upon the wounded man was a priest. One would think a priest would stop of out an obligation to his role and profession. Nope. He crossed over to the other side of the road.

The second was a Levite. A member of the priestly family, one with a long tradition of serving God. No. He too crossed the street as if he owed the wounded man money.

The third, Jesus says, was a Samaritan. One from whom Jews expected nothing. And one for whom the Jews might do nothing. Yet, this parable bears the name of an oxymoron for people of the day, a Good Samaritan, much like many would say, a good enemy of ours. Yet, it was the man who stopped, rendered aid, and took the man to a place where he could recover, paid for his lodging, meals, and care.

Who was the good neighbor? Better question, would we be the better neighbor to one in need?

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