“He Did Not Pass By”(Luke 10:25–35)
The King of Peace has come to us.
There is power in His word.
The King of Peace has come to us.
Today’s passage is the well-known story of the “Good Samaritan.”
We see a man who was attacked by robbers and left half dead,
and three people pass by.
First, a priest. Second, a Levite. Third, a Samaritan.
There were many reasons to simply walk by—being busy, religious rules about touching a corpse, fear of robbers returning. But while the priest and the Levite just passed by, the Samaritan acted differently.
What’s striking is this: the Jewish priest and the Levite ignored the wounded Jew. But the Samaritan, who was considered an enemy of the Jews, did not pass by. Instead, he treated the man’s wounds, placed him on his own donkey, brought him to an inn, spent his own money, and even promised to return to continue caring for him.
The lesson we want to remember is this: most people live like the priest and the Levite, but there are some who live differently—like the Samaritan.
A lawyer came to Jesus to test Him and asked, “Who is my neighbor?”
At that time, people believed that keeping the Law brought blessings. So they tried to appear as if they were keeping it. Since the Law was difficult to keep, they reinterpreted it in ways that suited them.
Religious leaders limited “neighbor” to those they found easy to love. Then they proudly asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?”
The man attacked by robbers in the parable represents the people of Israel—those who test Jesus, the priest, the Levite, and even us.
And Jesus shows compassion on such sinners. By His death on the cross, He gives eternal life.
But what does it mean to gain eternal life?
It means becoming a new person, with a new heart, living by a new standard.
Luke 10:33 says: “But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.”
This “pity” describes what it means to be saved, to have eternal life through Jesus.
Jesus gives us a heart of compassion, even toward enemies.
We were once people who did not care about others. But through His cross and resurrection, Jesus has made us people with compassionate hearts. That means we now live as neighbors to others.
If we had written the parable ourselves, we probably would have made the wounded man a Samaritan—so that Jews would be taught to care for their enemy.
But Jesus instead made the wounded man a Jew, and the helper a Samaritan. Why?
So that the lawyer would identify with the dying man.
Jesus wanted him to realize: “You are not the helper. You are the one who needs help. You are lost, a sinner, in need of a Savior.”
If I think I am the helper, then I can decide who my neighbor is.
But if I realize I am the one in need, then I cannot limit who my neighbor is.
I must long for anyone to come and be my neighbor.
Jesus did not pass by sinners like us. He had compassion on us. He became our Savior, our friend, our neighbor.
Because of the mercy we received, we too can show mercy to others.
So then, who are the neighbors God has given us?
1. Our everyday neighbors.Jesus commands us to love our neighbor, which means the people we meet daily. Each day is a chance to become someone’s neighbor.
2. Our cell group members.
A small group is not just for meals and fellowship. It is where someone grows in Christ. As we serve one another in love, others are drawn into that fellowship too.
3. Our local community.
It is not by chance that our church is here in this place, in this building. It is God’s will. The people in our community are our neighbors whom we are called to serve.
4. Our mission field.
God has given us mission partners. Missions are not just about sending money or prayers—they are about sharing life, being true neighbors and friends.
Jesus did not pass us by. He did not pass by our church.
He became our Savior and Shepherd, and He gives us His heart of compassion.
He calls us, sends us, and places us among neighbors He wants us to love.
With our own strength we cannot do this. But by His grace, we can.
So let us remember His mercy and live this week as true neighbors to those around us.
