Mercy Given, Mercy Extended

In Luke 10:25–37, Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan, and in doing so, He flips the script on what it means to love your neighbor. A religious expert tries to justify himself by attempting to earn his way into Heaven. Jesus shows us in this parable that the law is a weight we cannot bear on our own. We need a perfect righteousness outside of ourselves.

The Samaritan, the unexpected outsider, is the one who shows mercy. He reflects the heart of Christ, who came to rescue us when we were broken, helpless, and dead in sin. This isn’t just a call to love like Him; it’s a reminder that He loved us first.