Have you heard of the Good Samaritan?

If you’ve grown up in Western society, it likely rings a bell. The Good Samaritan is one of the most well-known parables of Jesus.

Throughout Christianity, in every denomination, fellowship, and network; every follower of Jesus learns about The Good Samaritan early on in their faith journey. Even those from other faith backgrounds, or even from an atheist or agnostic position, have a loose idea of The Good Samaritan.

For a brief recap from Luke 10:25-37:

A lawyer challenges Jesus with a question “who is my neighbor?” Jesus answers with a parable, about a Jewish man who falls victim to robbers, who beat him and leave him for dead. Two spiritual leaders, a priest and a levite, ignore the man and pass by on the other side of the road.

Just when all seems lost, a Samaritan, one who should be an enemy of the Jew, comes to his aid and saves the man’s life. Jesus bringing about the internal conflict that a true neighbour is one who shows mercy and compassion. Even to those outside of one’s race, society, and culture.

This parable brings about an internal conflict that was felt with the initial audience, and has continued throughout the millennia, right up into our modern era.

Over the next four weeks, we’ll see that in this single parable, loving our neighbour might mean sacrificing…

• Financially, letting go of money and possessions.
• Physically, giving of our time and energy.
• Socially, laying down our status and reputation.
• Culturally, letting go of comfort and traditions.

1. The Cost of Cloth, Oil & Wine

“He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him.”  (Luke 10:34)

The text tells us that after the two spiritual leaders (the priest and the levite) pass by, a Samaritan comes to the man’s he bound up the man’s wounds, most likely with his own clothing or linens. He cleaned the wounds with olive oil and wine, fermented grape juice.

There was no soap and water, modern medical treatments, or antibiotics available. This was the way at this time, in which medical treatment was given. Some scholars have suggested that the alcohol in the wine cleaned the wound, while the oil provided a protective layer.

At first, someone in our modern context might say, “What’s the big deal? That cost is insignificant!” We shouldn’t so easily jump to that conclusion, for two reasons.

1. First, we should remember that this was written into a commodity based culture, where buying and selling, trading and partnering goods was core to one’s livelihood. We are very rich in comparison, and our throw-away-product society should be clear evidence of that.
2. Second, we can’t forget the enmity that was between the Samaritan’s and the Jews, which speaks to the tension that Jesus is trying to create. A Samaritan would never help a Jew and vice-versa; and definitely wouldn’t give each other their essential oil and wine, note the clothing off of their backs to be soiled by their wounds.

2. The Cost of the Inn

“And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper…” (Luke 10:35a)

The text tells us that the Samaritan’s first payment was two Denarii. You might think, “Well, that doesn’t sound like much!” But we shouldn’t be so quick to jump to conclusions.

“In Jesus’ day a denarius amounted to the average daily wage of a worker.” (BibleResources.AmericanBible.org)

So consider your city or town. What does the average worker or labourer earn in a day? Consider that cost and double it, as the Samaritan’s first payment to care for this Jewish man.

What about the remaining cost?

3. The Cost of Care

“…saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’” (Luke 10:35b)

The Samaritan commits to pay his debt once he returns. And his character so far has proven that he will fulfill that commitment.

But lets for a moment, consider what Jesus said about this man who was found laying in the road. He was, “half dead” according to Jesus. So we’re left wondering, what’s the recovery time of a “half-dead” man? Days, weeks, or months? And without insurance or socialized medicine, the cost was all to be paid back by the Samaritan.

The innkeeper would have to himself, or through a hired hand, bathe the man, clean his wounds and change his bandages, and give him food and drink. This is much more than simply renting a hotel room and living him there until he was able to return.

All this considered, there would be a substantial cost to the Samaritan. Never mind lost wages for him during travel and the time the whole ordeal would have taken.

Our Financial Cost

We must highlight once again, that if a Samaritan was doing all of this for another Samaritan, that would be an immense act of mercy and compassion. And yet, we can’t forget the context in which Jesus is giving this parable, that it was for a Jewish man. It was the Samaritan’s enemy who received his love and grace.

Jesus is showing us that, “Our neighbours” are the people outside of “our people”. More than that, the people groups who we would never associate. Perhaps, the people groups who are our enemies?

Think about it. Which political party, city or town, social, cultural, or racial distinctive do you struggle with the most? Who is the type of person that you would least likely want to spend the day with?

Do you have that type of person pictured in your minds-eye? Now ask yourself, “Would I sacrifice like the Good Samaritan for them?”

It’s hard isn’t it? That’s the point. Jesus calls us to consider how much of our money or possessions we’d be willing to sacrifice for strangers, outside of the scope of our community. Or maybe even our enemies within our community.

This Is Crucial for Christians

It’s not a surprise when a church member shows love, mercy, and compassion to a church member. That’s a good thing, but a very normal love.

However, when a church member shows love, mercy, and compassion to someone outside of the church, that’s not normal. That’s radical, Good Samaritan love!

In every parable of Jesus there are multiple layers of lessons, but there’s always a foundational Kingdom lesson, pointing to eternity. Jesus is pushing the tension of being one of His disciples. To truly follow Him, there is a cost. There is sacrifice.

Related specifically to today’s focus of finances, how we spend our money tells a story. Our bank statements and credit card bills tell a story about whether or not we care for those outside our circle of family, friends, and dare I say it, church community.

All People Included

Scripture tells us that Jesus offered the Kingdom to the Jew first, then to the Gentile (all other people groups). All people, including Samaritan’s, may now inherit the Kingdom of God through Jesus.

How? Heart condition and sacrifice! Even for those outside of the religious community. Even the social outcast. Even the less-than in society and culture. Even they can become a child of God through Jesus.

As Christians we should understand that, and start treating the outside world as lost instead of enemies. Satan is the true enemy; the people who are lost are casualties that need our mercy and compassion.

Join the Conversation; Share Your Thoughts

1. What level of financial cost have you sacrificed to show love outside of family, friends, and/or church community?
2. Who will your group or household show mercy and compassion to this week, to show the love of Jesus?