The Good Samaritan
Have you ever thought about the way we use the expression "Good Samaritan" these days? The misuse of that term is just a little pet peeve of mine.
We, as modern day Americans, use that term to describe someone who acts in a charitable and/or helpful way. That only partially covers what made the story of the Good Samaritan such a powerful parable. Yes, the Good Samaritan in that parable did act in a helpful, charitable way. But that's not the entire story to it.
But when you really read that story, the thing about it was that Samaritans at that time were really lowly and looked down upon in that society, and some of the same types of people that were higher up in society, "polite society" if you will, saw the beaten up and robbed guy before the Good Samaritan did and they didn't help him whereas the Good Samaritan actually did.
So, think about that the next time that you hear anyone say "Good Samaritan".
We, as modern day Americans, use that term to describe someone who acts in a charitable and/or helpful way. That only partially covers what made the story of the Good Samaritan such a powerful parable. Yes, the Good Samaritan in that parable did act in a helpful, charitable way. But that's not the entire story to it.
But when you really read that story, the thing about it was that Samaritans at that time were really lowly and looked down upon in that society, and some of the same types of people that were higher up in society, "polite society" if you will, saw the beaten up and robbed guy before the Good Samaritan did and they didn't help him whereas the Good Samaritan actually did.
So, think about that the next time that you hear anyone say "Good Samaritan".