PODCAST
Have Mercy
August 15th, 2025
Luke 10:30-37.
The law expert from today’s passage tried to justify his actions by narrowing the definition of “neighbor” to a location. In response, Jesus used this opportunity to teach all of us who our neighbor is by sharing the parable of the good Samaritan.
After telling how a man had been attacked, stripped, and beaten, we learn the most valuable lesson through others’ reactions. At separate times, both a priest and a Levite, two public men who should have had compassion, crossed the street to avoid the injured man.
However, a Samaritan man interrupted his own journey to show us what compassion in action looks like. His compassion resulted in wounds being bandaged, transportation to a safe location, care for a stranger through the night, and the expense of two days wages for medical care with the promise of more if needed.
What an incredible teacher Jesus is! Now when Jesus asked, the lawyer recognized who the neighbor was: “The one who had mercy on him”! Jesus ended the lesson with a final instruction: “Go and do likewise” (v. 37).
Author: Kelly Brown
