Devotional
The Wounded Jew W Sometimes we don’t even recognize a friend.
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October 2021 AdventistWorld.org
e don’t care much about him. Even scholars barely glance his way. When we do acknowledge his presence in the parable, we view him as the victim, the problem to be solved, an anonymous prop whose purpose is to reveal the hearts of other, more prominent characters. He is simply the wounded Jew.* If you’ve been a Christian for even a few years, you’re probably familiar with the story. This nameless man, traveling between Jerusalem and Jericho, is attacked by thieves. He is beaten, bloodied, stripped of his clothes, and left for dead. A priest and a Levite both see him there, but neither of these respected religious leaders stops to help. Finally, a Samaritan, traveling the road, sees the dying man. Moved with compassion, he bandages him, anoints him with oil and wine to soothe and cleanse his wounds, places him on his own donkey and pays in advance for his continued care at an inn. When Jesus finishes telling this parable, He highlights the neighborly love of the good Samaritan and tells His audience, “Go and do likewise” (Luke 10:37).
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