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Christ’s Object Lessons
all that was valuable, and left half dead by the wayside. As he lay thus,
a priest came that way; he saw the man lying wounded and bruised,
weltering in his own blood; but he left him without rendering any
assistance. He “passed by on the other side.” Then a Levite appeared.
Curious to know what had happened, he stopped and looked at the
sufferer. He was convicted of what he ought to do, but it was not an
agreeable duty. He wished that he had not come that way so that he
would not have seen the wounded man. He persuaded himself that the
case was no concern of his, and he too “passed by on the other side.”
But a Samaritan, traveling the same road, saw the sufferer, and he
did the work that the others had refused to do. With gentleness and
kindness he ministered to the wounded man. “When he saw him, he
had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds,
pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him
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to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed,
he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him,
Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come
again, I will repay thee.” The priest and the Levite both professed piety,
but the Samaritan showed that he was truly converted. It was no more
agreeable for him to do the work than for the priest and the Levite, but
in spirit and works he proved himself to be in harmony with God.
In giving this lesson, Christ presented the principles of the law in
a direct, forcible way, showing His hearers that they had neglected
to carry out these principles. His words were so definite and pointed
that the listeners could find no opportunity to cavil. The lawyer found
in the lesson nothing that he could criticize. His prejudice in regard
to Christ was removed. But he had not overcome his national dislike
sufficiently to give credit to the Samaritan by name. When Christ
asked, “Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto
him that fell among the thieves?” he answered, “He that showed mercy
on him.”
“Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.” Show the
same tender kindness to those in need. Thus you will give evidence
that you keep the whole law.
The great difference between the Jews and the Samaritans was a
difference in religious belief, a question as to what constitutes true
worship. The Pharisees would say nothing good of the Samaritans, but
poured their bitterest curses upon them. So strong was the antipathy