This parable comes about when a lawyer, otherwise known as a scribe, asks Jesus how to inherit eternal life. In return, Jesus asks what the scriptures say, and the man says that we must love God with all our heart, might, and mind, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Jesus says that the man should go and do this, but the man then asks who his neighbor is. The story of the Good Samaritan is Christ's response.
The story begins, "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho..." (Luke 10:30) with the word "man" also being in italics in the scriptures. As it would turn out, anytime a word is in italics in the scriptures, that means it wasn't in the original Greek manuscript. So we can totally substitute ourselves into this story. I like making the scriptures personal to me, because it's much more meaningful when I do and I'm able to answer the "So what?" question.
While this man was going on his merry way, he fell among thieves. Now, I must ask, what do thieves do? They take the good things that we have, and only leave bad things behind. To make this personal to us, we can substitute devils for thieves. Satan will only leave you hurt and with bad things where the good things used to be.
A couple people passed by this man, a Jew, on the side of the road. But then a Samaritan came. I didn't know this, but a Samaritan is someone who is part Jew and part something else. The Jews considered them an unclean people, so they didn't like them very much. The Samaritan stops and helps the man, binding up his wounds and taking him to an inn to rest.
Symbolism time! A Samaritan is part Jew, part something else, right? Well, if you think about it, the Savior also happens to be part Jew, part something else! I don't know about you, but I don't believe in coincidences. As we go along our path in life, sometimes we will get beat up and torn down. But the Savior will always stop to help us, nursing us back to full spiritual health. He just asks that we "Go, and do thou likewise." (Luke 10:37).
This is definitely something I need to work on, because I know how it feels when other people stop and help me. Just last week, I was walking home and I was feeling a little defeated. The week had been long, this next week will be even longer, and just several other big things were weighing in on my mind. As I was walking into my complex, a guy was sitting on the sidewalk tying his shoes, about to go on a run. I'd never seen him before. He asked how I was doing, and I said I was alright. He then asked if I'd had a tough day, and I nodded. He told me not to worry, and that things would get better for me. He knew everything was going to be alright. I don't know who that boy was, and I haven't seen him since. But he was my good Samaritan that day. It didn't take him a lot of time or effort, but he helped me get on the road to recovery. This was such a simple, real deal, everyday life example for me. I hope I remember to pass on the good favor, not just from him, but from my Savior. Let's get out there and do some good.
By the way, if you just happen to have 5:45, I highly suggest that you watch this video I just found. It's a good one :)
http://www.lds.org/training/wwlt/2013/hastening/members-and-missionaries?cid=HPMO101413118&lang=eng
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