Chapter 5—The Parable of the Good Samaritan
The Nature of True Religion Illustrated—In the story of the
good Samaritan, Christ illustrates the nature of true religion. He shows
that it consists not in systems, creeds, or rites, but in the performance
of loving deeds, in bringing the greatest good to others, in genuine
goodness.... The lesson is no less needed in the world today than
when it fell from the lips of Jesus. Selfishness and cold formality have
well-nigh extinguished the fire of love and dispelled the graces that
should make fragrant the character. Many who profess His name have
lost sight of the fact that Christians are to represent Christ. Unless
there is practical self-sacrifice for the good of others, in the family
circle, in the neighborhood, in the church, and wherever we may be,
then whatever our profession we are not Christians.—
The Desire of
Ages, 497, 504
.
Who Is My Neighbor?—Among the Jews the question, “Who is
my neighbor?” caused endless dispute. They had no doubt as to the
heathen and the Samaritans. These were strangers and enemies. But
where should the distinction be made among the people of their own
nation, and among the different classes of society? Whom should the
priest, the rabbi, and elder, regard as neighbor? They spent their lives
in the round of ceremonies to make themselves pure. Contact with the
ignorant and careless multitude, they taught, would cause defilement
that would require wearisome effort to remove. Were they to regard
[43]
the “unclean” as neighbors?
This question Christ answered in the parable of the good Samaritan.
He showed that our neighbor does not mean merely one of the church
or faith to which we belong. It has no reference to race, color, or class
distinction. Our neighbor is every person who needs our help. Our
neighbor is every soul who is wounded and bruised by the adversary.
Our neighbor is everyone who is the property of God.—
Christ’s Object
Lessons, 376
.
Illustrated by the Parable—Christ was speaking to a large com-
pany. The Pharisees, hoping to catch something from His lips that
29