Once upon a time, Jesus sat with a group of people. One of them was a teacher who loved to ask questions. He asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus smiled and told a story to help them understand.
There was a man walking down a quiet, dusty road. The sun was shining bright, and the birds sang sweet songs. Suddenly, some bad men jumped out and hurt the man very badly. They took his money and left him all alone on the road.
First, a priest came by. A priest is someone who helps people worship God. But when he saw the hurt man, he quickly walked to the other side of the road. He was afraid or maybe too busy to help.
Next, a Levite came by. A Levite was someone who helped the priests. But he did the same thing! He looked at the hurt man and walked away. The man was still lying there, needing help.
Then, a Samaritan came down the road. Samaritans and the people around didn’t always get along, but this man felt love in his heart. When he saw the hurt man, he felt sad and wanted to help. He gently cleaned the man’s wounds and put on some healing oil and bandages.
The Samaritan carefully lifted the man onto his own donkey. The donkey walked slowly and softly, like a rocking cradle. The Samaritan took him to a safe place called an inn. He paid the innkeeper some money and said, “Please take care of him. If you need more money, I will pay you when I come back.”
Jesus looked at the people and asked, “Which one of these three do you think was a good neighbor to the hurt man?” They answered, “The one who helped him.”
Jesus smiled and said, “Go and do the same.”
Helping others, even when it’s hard or when they are different from us, is what God wants. God’s love is like a warm, bright light that shines in our hearts and helps us care for others.
Questions to think about
- Who helped the hurt man on the road?
- Why did the priest and Levite walk away?
- How did the Samaritan show kindness?
- What does it mean to be a good neighbor?
- How can you help someone who needs you?
Message of the story
God loves everyone and wants us to show kindness and help others, no matter who they are.
Bible passage
Luke 10:25-37
