Few parables still resonate like the Good Samaritan. Down the road from us stands the Good Samaritan Hospital. Stories in the news often feature a good samaritan who went out of their way to help a stranger.

Today as I read the story for the thousandth time, the responses of the man who prompted the parable stood out. An expert in the law, he asked Jesus, who is my neighbor?

Jesus told this familiar parable in response, then asked a follow-up question, which of the three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers? The expert answered, The one who had mercy on him. Jesus replied, Go and do likewise.

When I think of good neighboring, my first thought doesn’t run to mercy. More toward helpfulness, sharing, a friendly greeting, perhaps.

Mercy, it seems, weighs more. Mercy involves compassion and forgiveness, or refusing to insist on the repayment of a debt or the fulfillment of an obligation. Mercy costs more.

Mercy feels way more challenging for me, especially coupled with this directive from Jesus: go and do likewise.

Luke 10 in week twelve of reading the Bible cover to cover

The Good Samaritan, by Vincent Van Gogh 1890