The Good Samaritan – “Street Eats”

Lenten Devotions

A Walk through the Book of Luke

March 13, 2023

Luke 10:25-37

The Good Samaritan

“Street Eats”

Those of you who have followed my devotions over the years have probably seen me mention “Street Eats.”

Street Eats was a program I began with my students and the congregation in 2012. Here’s how it worked.

Throughout the year, my youth group would ask for financial donations for our Street Eats project. The money raised would go to purchase items that would be put in gallon-size zip lock bags. The bags were then displayed in the Narthex of the church. In addition, congregational members were asked to grab a bag or two and keep it in their car.

The bags included items such as: bottled water, canned meats, canned fruit, crackers, and assorted snacks. The idea was that congregation members would hand out the Street Eat bags to needy people they met on the road of life. Generally, they were handed out to homeless people who were appealing for help at intersections.

In the four years my students filled the Street Eats bags, over 3000 were distributed to needy people.

In today’s parable, Jesus tells the story of a Samaritan who also helped someone in need along the road.

************************The Point*********************

The parable of the Good Samaritan is not only a good story, but it is a great teaching tool. Let’s take a moment to read it now.

“On one occasion, an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

 “What is written in the Law?” He replied. “How do you read it?”

He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'”

 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this, and you will live.”

But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

“In reply, Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii A denarius was the usual daily wage of a day laborer. and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.“

 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:25-37

Although the above passage tells us the story of The Good Samaritan, I would be amiss if I didn’t take a moment to speak to the beginning of this passage.

“On one occasion, an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

 “What is written in the Law?” He replied. “How do you read it?”

He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'”

 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied.” Luke 10:25-28

It is here, as a lead into the parable we find The Law, The Ten Commandments, summed up in one sentence.

Love God and love your neighbor.

Jesus uses this simple explanation of the commandments as a Segway to His parable. Then, Jesus uses this parable to answer the expert on the law’s question,

“So he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

In today’s parable, the priest and the Levite (a temple assistant) saw the wounded man on the road, but they did not help him. It’s evident that the two of them did not consider the injured man a friend.

“Generally, among the Jews, a neighbor was defined as a fellow countryman, one of the same race.” (Peoples Bible Commentary, Victor H. Prange, Luke, Pp. 125)

Jesus turns the teacher of the law’s beliefs upside down with this story.

The priest and Levite walked right by the injured man. But the Samaritan not only helped the man on the spot but also ensured that he would be cared for days to come.

If their roles had been reversed, the teacher of the law probably would not have helped the injured man either. If you remember the definition of ‘neighbor’ above, the teacher of the law would not have included the Samaritan as such. But the Samaritan fulfills Jesus’s words and commands that we should love one another. So, the teacher of the law all but admits that the Samaritan would be his neighbor.

We live in a society that “preaches” things like “Me First” and “You’re the most important person in your life.” None of that is true. Put others first. Jesus put the needs of humanity ahead of His own and gave the ultimate sacrifice, His life, for our salvation. So perhaps, making others more important than ourselves, no matter their race, creed, or color, isn’t such a bad idea.