The Good Samaritan.
I. It is clear that the kindness of this man was of the spirit, and not merely of the letter. Here was one main point of difference between him and the priest and Levite. They needed a specific injunction, but he wanted to carry out a great principle.
II. We may perceive that this man's benevolence was not hindered by any prejudices of nationality or religion. The injured traveller was an entire stranger to him, but he did not say within himself on that account, "He has no claim upon me." He was, besides, a Jew, and the feud between his people and the Samaritans, because it was a religious one, between people that were neighbours and agreed in certain points while they differed on others, was exceedingly bitter; yet he did not exclaim "Let him die, for all I care!" No, he was a man in great straits, and all other things were forgotten by him in the presence of these two. Now, here we are furnished with a test as to the genuineness of our neighbour love; and by its application we may discover that our benevolence is often chilled, if not indeed, absolutely killed by some prevalent influences. These may be described as caste, denominationalism, and a certain prudishness which we may call purism.
III. It is obvious that this man's benevolence was not hindered by any considerations of personal convenience.
IV. It is evident that this man's benevolence took its form from the nature of the misery which he sought to relieve.
V. If our benevolence would be of the highest order we must exercise it out of regard to Him who died to show mercy to ourselves. Thus our humanity will rise into Christianity, and our benevolence will be baptized into the Name of the Lord Jesus.
W. M. Taylor, The Parables of Our Saviour,p. 226.
References: Luke 10:25. F. W. Farrar, Church of England Pulpit,vol. ii., p. 189. Luke 10:25-27. H. W. Beecher, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xi., p. 244.Luke 10:25-28. Preacher's Monthly,vol. iv., p. 151; W. Wilson, Christ setting His Face to go to Jerusalem,p. 171.Luke 10:25-37. Homiletic Quarterly,vol. v., p. 542; Ibid.,vol. xii., p. 328; Preacher's Monthly,vol. i., p. 310; Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. xxiii., No. 1360; H. Calderwood, The Parables,p. 175; A. B. Bruce, The Parabolic Teaching of Christ,p. 342; Parker, Wednesday Evenings in Cavendish Chapel,p. 98. Luke 10:26. H. W. Beecher, Christian World Pulpit,vol. x., p. 145; G. Brooks, Outlines of Sermons,p. 203.Luke 10:27. A. P. Stanley, Christian World Pulpit,vol. ii., p. 145; H. W. Beecher, Ibid.,vol. vii., p. 371.Luke 10:29. M. Walrond, Church of England Pulpit,vol. ii., p. 205.Luke 10:29-37. Homilist,vol. vi., p. 256.