The Samaritan who stopped to help the robbed and beaten man had every reason to look the other way and pass by on the other side. The victim was a Jew, and Jews and Samaritans did not associate with each other. Any self-respecting Jew would rather walk several extra miles than risk running into a Samaritan. And Samar-itans felt the same way.

In spite of that, the Samaritan reached out to help the Jew. He bandaged his wounds, put him on his own donkey, and took him to an inn. He even offered to pay for additional expenses the innkeeper might incur. He was willing to interrupt his schedule and use his own resources to help someone in need.

Why would this man stop and help when two religious leaders refused to do anything at all? What is it that drives many people today to lend a helping hand, open their homes, reach into their wallets, or interrupt their schedules to help someone in need? The answer is that they have compassion.

In this parable, among other things, we are being called to live with the kind of compassion God has shown us in Jesus. He came to help and restore us when we were down and out, even though we were his enemies (see Romans 5:10).

Do you follow Christ's example and show compassion to others?