An expert in the Jewish law wanted to justify his lack of love toward certain people, so he asked Jesus to clarify who his neighbor was. Jesus responded with a story about a man who had been robbed and beaten and a Samaritan who happened upon him.

A priest and a Levite, both of whom knew Scripture and that God wants us to help one another, avoided the beaten man by passing on the other side of the road. They exhibited no compassion and didn’t care enough to be inconvenienced.

Jesus uses contrasted exaggeration in this story to highlight the kind of love that crosses the road. The person who helped the stranger was a hated Samaritan. And yet he was the one who loved.

The expert in the law asked Jesus who his neighbor was so he could love certain people and dismiss others, but Jesus didn’t answer the question in a way that would give him that option. Instead, he asked a question back, “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” (Luke 10:36).

Jesus will enable you to be the kind of neighbor who crosses the road to help those in need.

A Prayer for Today:

Lord, help me to become a good neighbor who cares for anyone who comes into my life and has a need. I don’t want to discriminate when it comes to giving love. Instead, when I encounter someone in need, I want to demonstrate love like the Samaritan did. Amen.

A Journaling Prompt:

When you read this story, what struck you that you hadn’t noticed before? Place yourself in the story. How would it feel to be the Levite? The robbed man? The Samaritan? What do you learn by placing yourself in their sandals?

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Content adapted from the NIV Radiant Virtues Bible, a new evolution of the Beautiful Word Bible collection. Art from throughout the Beautiful Word collection, along with newly created verse art, all-new journaling prompts, weekly devotional readings and prayers, coloring pages, reading plans, and more, guide you as you explore the virtues of faith, hope, and love and their place in Scripture