Read: Luke 10:29-37

 But he, seeking to justify himself, asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbour?”

Jesus responded, “A man was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho and was robbed, beaten, and left half-dead. A priest was walking that way; seeing him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise, a Levite saw him and also passed by. But a Samaritan, traveling along, saw him and was moved with compassion. He went to him, bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day, he paid the innkeeper two denarii and told him, ‘Take care of him. If you spend more, I will repay you when I return.’

So, which of these three was a neighbor to the man who was robbed?” He said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus told him, “Go and do the same.”

Explanation

Jesus shifts the focus from defining “neighbour” to demonstrating what it means to be one. The contrast is deliberate: those expected to act pass by, while the outsider responds with compassion. True love is not theoretical or selective; it is practical, costly, and immediate.

The Samaritan’s actions reveal that mercy crosses boundaries and ignores social expectations. This parable exposes a key truth—love is measured not by intention, but by action. To follow Jesus is to move toward need, not away from it, and to do so without calculation or condition.

A question for today

What is God showing me about how I respond to the needs around me?

A sentence to take into the day

Love is shown through action, not intention.

One thing to do today

Take one practical step today to help someone in need, even if it is inconvenient.