I’ve written about the Good Samaritan before including describing the research study that suggested that when we’re in a hurry, we often don’t take time to do what we should do. But reminders never hurt.

The Chosen presents the Good Samaritan (Luke 10.25 – 37) as a true story, Season 2, Episode 1. Whether it’s true or a parable, Jesus uses a priest and a Levite as negative examples.

Jesus answered by telling a story. “There was once a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way he was attacked by robbers. They took his clothes, beat him up, and went off leaving him half-dead. Luckily, a priest was on his way down the same road, but when he saw him he angled across to the other side. Then a Levite religious man showed up; he also avoided the injured man. (Luke 10.30 – 32, MSG)

The Samaritan had compassion. It doesn’t matter how much I know or how many “religious” works I do if I don’t love my neighbor. 

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. (1 Corinthians 13.1 – 2, ESV)