The Parable of the Good Samaritan

As we enter Passion Week, our hearts are drawn to reflect on the significance of Jesus’ sacrifice and the victory of His resurrection. In this season of deep spiritual meaning, we're beginning a new sermon series titled “The Elephant in the Room.”

This series is about confronting the obvious issues we often ignore—those uncomfortable truths that linger just beneath the surface in our lives, relationships, communities, and even our churches. The phrase “the elephant in the room” refers to something evident that no one wants to acknowledge or address. It’s easier to ignore these matters because doing so avoids confrontation or discomfort. However, ignoring them doesn’t make them disappear—in fact, the more we avoid them, the more overwhelming they become.

In this series, we will shine a light on these hidden struggles and unspoken tensions and discover how facing them head-on can help us live more impactful, Christ-centered lives.

The Parable That Challenges Us All

Our message begins with a familiar passage found in Luke 10:25–37—the Parable of the Good Samaritan. In this story, Jesus is questioned by an expert in the law who asks, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus responds by pointing him back to the Law: Love God with everything you are and love your neighbor as yourself. But then the expert presses further, asking, “Who is my neighbor?”

Jesus answers with a parable about a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho—a dangerous road, known for ambushes and robberies. Predictably, the man is attacked, beaten, stripped, and left half-dead. Three individuals pass by him:

• A priest, a religious leader expected to show mercy, crosses to the other side and avoids him.
• A Levite, someone also entrusted with religious responsibilities, does the same.
• A Samaritan, considered an enemy by the Jews, stops and shows deep compassion.

This story is shocking to its original audience. The religious figures—those seen as upholders of God’s law—fail to live out the very commands they profess to follow. But the outsider, the one seen as a spiritual and ethnic outcast, becomes the hero of the story.

The Elephant We Ignore

This parable forces us to confront a sobering truth: we often ignore the needs around us. Whether it's from fear, inconvenience, or prejudice, we sometimes pass by people who are hurting—both physically and emotionally—because we assume someone else will step in.

Jesus’ parable illustrates that compassion is not just an act, but a deep emotion, one that stirs from the very soul. The Greek word used—splagchnizomai—describes a gut-level empathy, the kind of compassion that Jesus Himself often demonstrated (Matthew 9:36).

This Samaritan didn't just feel sorry for the man; he acted. He treated the wounds, provided transport, paid for care, and promised to return. His love wasn’t theoretical—it was practical and sacrificial.

When We Are the One in the Ditch

At times, we are not the ones passing by—we are the ones lying in the ditch. Life has knocked us down. We've been hurt, forgotten, or perhaps we’ve made the same mistake again and again.

There’s a video circulating online of a sheep rescued from a narrow ditch, only to jump right back into it moments later. It's funny but also sobering—how often are we like that sheep?

• Psalm 100:3 reminds us that we are God’s people, the sheep of His pasture.
• In John 10:11, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

Even when we fall back into old patterns, God doesn’t give up on us. He is in the business of rescuing, restoring, and transforming. His grace is unending, and His mercy is new every morning.

Our Call to Compassion

Whether we find ourselves in the ditch or walking past someone who is, this parable asks us to reflect: What kind of neighbor am I?

Martin Luther King Jr., in his final sermon, said that instead of asking, “What will happen to me if I help?” we should be asking, “What will happen to them if I don’t help?”

We must resist the temptation to turn a blind eye to the needs of others. The elephant in the room is not just the suffering we ignore—but our reluctance to engage. Each of us has the power to make a difference in someone’s life, whether in our communities, our churches, or even within our homes.

Final Reflection

Do you see someone in need? Are you moved with compassion, or are you looking for a way to avoid involvement? This parable is not just a call to be kind—it is a call to live like Christ, with eyes wide open and hearts fully engaged.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen.