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Let’s Not “Pass By On The Other Side”

The parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:1-37) is known by most Bible students, but not practiced by many. Looking at this parable, we see not only a man who took the time to help his fellow man, but we see the indifference of two “religious” men who “passed by on the other side” (Luke 10:31-32).

Someone has correctly stated that it is easier to meet opposition than it is to meet indifference. Let’s remember that at the foot of the cross, there were some who opposed Christ, but it is said of others: “they sat down and kept watch over him there” (Matthew 27:36-ESV – they were indifferent to the proceedings – see commentary).

The story is told of a young highly trained and gifted doctor who went to China as a medical missionary. One day while attending typhus cases, he was stricken and became deathly ill by the disease. When he heard there was a woman who would die if a Caesarian operation could not be performed, he asked to be carried to the operating room. Attendants had to hold him up — one at each side as he operated and saved the life of the mother and her baby. Unfortunately, the intensity of the operation in his weakened state was too much for him, and in two days, he was dead.

Thank God that this good doctor did not possess a mindset of indifference, but the mindset of compassion — caring for others, no matter what the cost.

Brethren and friends, we too must not be indifferent when we have an opportunity to help someone in need (Gal. 6:9-10; cf. Proverbs 3:27-29). Let’s not “pass by on the other side” (Luke 10:31-32).