Real Meaning Of The Good Samaritan Parable

Most Christians think the real meaning of the Good Samaritan parable is to do good to our neighbors. While we are not entirely wrong in thinking that, there is an additional meaning, a deeper and more important one.

You are obviously very familiar with the parable of the good Samaritan. It was Jesus’ response to a lawyer who had, like most of us, kept the religious law from his youth. You may know that law as the ten commandments plus a few others which your church has since added.

All the same, this lawyer sensed that he might still not inherit eternal life. Therefore, he sought Jesus out, wanting to know what more he needed to do. Jesus asked him for his interpretation of the law. Not surprisingly, the lawyer knew that like the back of his hand. What’s more, he had diligently kept all of it.

And like most of us, this lawyer was not particularly impressed with Jesus’ response. Obeying the law sounded too easy. There had to be more than religiously keeping the ten commandments to give him eternal life.

That was the reason Jesus gave the story which we now know as the parable of the Good Samaritan. All of us have always rightly interpreted it to mean that we should go and do good to our neighbors. After all, that was how Jesus Himself concluded the parable, with “go and do likewise.”

Gaining Eternal Life Is The Real Meaning Of The Good Samaritan Parable.

However, that parable has a deeper meaning. Bible scholars will tell you that every parable, every incident, and every prophecy in the bible has a double interpretation. There is a proximal or immediate meaning. And then, there is the distal or eternal meaning. A portion of that distal meaning came to me this morning as I read that story again. That was when I saw the real meaning of the Good Samaritan parable.

This is not simply about being a do-gooder. The real meaning of the Good Samaritan parable is eternal. When you read the account in context, you discover that this was the lawyer’s original concern. He was worried that all his ‘goodness’ did not assure his heart about making it to heaven at the end.

Gaining eternal life is the real meaning of the Good Samaritan parable. With that in mind, we re-examine the various actors in Jesus’ account. First, there was the victim, whom Jesus refrained from characterizing since it could be you or me.

Next, there came a priest, who was the first on the scene. The pastor did not even bother to examine the man. Perhaps his conference calendar was full. Third, there was a Levite. He had time to take a good look at the man lying down in the street but he too passed on by.

Both men were religious leaders, too busy with the things of God to have time for the people of God. They both left the victim to die. Fortunately for the victim, there were a few people who knew that God desired mercy above every other virtue.

Lots of Surprises In The Real Meaning Of The Good Samaritan Parable,

This parable is filled with surprises. The good people in the church did nothing for the victim. On the other hand, those outside the church came to the victim’s rescue. The good Samaritan showed mercy.

This is exactly what the Lord our God requires of us. He needs us to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God. And although a member of the despised tribe, he did what pleased God. You know the story; he did to the victim what he would like others to do to him. If you recall, that is Jesus’ summation of the entire Law and the Prophets.

Meanwhile, both religious leaders did not understand what God requires of those who claim to follow Him. They did not know to show mercy to a needy person. Mercy is merely an example of how we obey God; how we please Him. Because, in the final analysis, obedience is the key, as we see in the parable of the two sons.

One son was like a religious leader, full of speeches about obeying his father. But he lacked the action to back up his fine speeches. The other son was not into talking much or impressing others with his mouth. But it turned out that what he lacked in words, he gained in obedient action.

Jesus concluded that the less outwardly impressive son actually pleased God. He showed his faith by his works and without faith, no one will see God or inherit eternal life. By thus comparing scripture with scripture, you see the real meaning of the Good Samaritan parable.

Harlots Enter Into Heaven Before Church People

Jesus used that despised member of society as an example of those who will inherit eternal life. Keep in mind, inheriting eternal life was the original concern of the lawyer. The real meaning of the Good Samaritan parable is that by doing what God requires, he this ordinary man qualified for eternal life.

Referencing that, Jesus declared tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before some who seek to justify themselves. Astounding. Trust me, if you are trusting in religion to justify you, that thought is scary.

Such a person could be in hell, looking up to heaven and seeing the prostitute whom he used to despise. Or he could see others whom he assumed would land in hell because they refused to attend church. Yet there they are in heaven.

If you think this life is full of surprises, you have seen nothing yet. Wait until eternity. Those who seem to have it all together religiously here may end up in the wrong destination. And the despised ones will be in Abraham’s bosom.

Unfortunately, the poor lawyer could not make the connection that the real meaning of the good Samaritan parable was eternal. Because the reason he asked the question was not to change his attitude; it was to justify himself.

The First Shall be Last

Anyone who seeks to justify himself will not make it to heaven. Unfortunately, zealous church people have that tendency and not only in this century. You may recall the extremely pious churchman who was praying and listed all his good works, justifying himself before God. “God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.”

Jesus said this man did not receive real justification even though he was at a prayer meeting. Such justification only comes from God. And without that, there is no going to heaven.

In summarizing the real meaning of the Good Samaritan parable, Jesus declared that the first will be last. The Apostle Paul also reiterated the warning. Let him who thinks he stands beware.

We need a change of attitude. Only Jesus justifies.

Maranatha!