How easily we condemn the priest and Levite in the story of the Good Samaritan! However, they were trying to keep themselves ritually pure according to the Mosaic law; possibly both were on their way to the temple for service because the text doesn’t indicate what direction they were traveling in. But Jesus Himself satirizes this fastidious and self-righteous care for the ceremonial law that leads people to neglect the highest order of the law––care for one’s neighbor. Though He doesn’t mention the Pharisee by name (supposing the lawyer who questioned Jesus was a Pharisee), everyone present knew how punctilious this sect was.
Have you ever wondered how often you've played the role of the Levite and the priest in this story? We all would like to identify ourselves with the Samaritan in this tale and with the ultimate Good Samaritan––Christ Himself. But how often do we, in the name of religious obligation or constraint, pass by perishing sinners or even our own suffering brethren? Often we don't even guise our disinclination to help in the robes of pious particularity. I know often I'm simply straight-up selfish and refuse to inconvenience myself for someone else. I assuage my guilt by assuring myself I have other responsibilities, or I am not equipped with the particular expertise needed to address this problem, or if the request had only not taken me by surprise I would be prepared to help. I'm sure these were the pretexts of the Levite and the priest and the inner voices that tempted the Samaritan to continue unencumbered on his way, voices he refused to listen to.
Think of this: God in His sovereignty places us in the moment with the needy person before us. So maybe there is something He means for us to do, and surely it isn't to pass by on the other side.
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