He came near

Jesus told this story when asked, “Who is my neighbor?” by an expert of the law.

“A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, who also stripped him, and having wounded him went away, leaving him half dead.

And it chanced, that a certain priest went down the same way: and seeing him, passed by. In like manner also a Levite, when he was near the place and saw him, passed by.  But a certain Samaritan being on his journey, came near him; and seeing him, was moved with compassion. And going up to him, bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine: and setting him upon his own beast, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And the next day he took out two pence, and gave to the host, and said: Take care of him; and whatever you spend over and above, I, at my return, will repay you.”

This story not only taught the teachers of the law to have compassion for all and especially their enemies, it informed them in no uncertain terms that they could not expect to go to heaven simply because of who they were.

The Jews believed that they were a privileged people because they were Abraham’s offspring.  But Jesus showed them, by using a priest and a Levite as the callous bystanders, their blood line alone was not enough. 

By depicting the despised Samaritan as the one who came to the aid of this injured man, told Jesus’ accusers that it was the works of kindness that mattered.

The story makes me wonder if the Samaritan would have helped the man if he had not gotten close and seen how bad off the man was.  Jesus tells his listeners that he came near, saw him, and was then moved with compassion. Maybe if he had kept his distance, he too would have walked away. But because he came near a man who was very likely an enemy of his and his people, his heart was softened. 

Jesus wanted the “expert in the law” to know that his neighbor was anybody who needed his help, friend or foe. He wanted the man to know his education, pedigree, and lineage was of no consequence if the love he showed others was not equal or greater than the love he had for himself.