The Good Samaritan—a prophetic reading.

The story of the Good Samaritan, described in Luke, chapter 10, verses 30 to 35, is very well known. It contains the answer to the question, “Who is my neighbor?” We can all benefit from this passage because it strikes at the heart of how we are to serve the Lord. Whenever we see anyone who may need our help, taking the need to Christ is prayer, we are to reach out and give of our own resources as He directs. But there is also another way to view these verses—the prophetic way that reveals the gospel message of Christ. I want to share that with you, not because it is a superior way, but because it reveals a picture of our Lord Jesus. I believe we all could benefit from this view.

Jesus starts the story in verse 30 with “A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho.” In the prophetic sense Adam is that man. Jerusalem represents the Holy City, or in the prophetic sense, The Garden of Eden—the dwelling place of God. Jericho represents the fallen city, found on a descending path from Jerusalem. Hence we see that man is on a path leading away from God and into a place for the fallen. In every aspect, before we accept Jesus into our life, we also are in Adam. Yes, without the Lord, we are also on that path

He fell among robbers. The road to Jericho was well known as a treacherous path, one harboring thieves and all forms of vile behavior. In the prophetic sense it portrays the way of the world, which will lead us to destruction. Satan dwells on that road, and he is bent upon seizing what we might have in Christ. And they stripped him and beat him, and went off leaving him half-dead. Adam had lost his spirit, but he still had a soul. He was half- dead.

A certain priest—passed by on the other side. The priest represents religion—which can not save us. Often it is self-serving—it takes the comfortable way without getting involved.

Likewise a Levite also—passed by on the other side. The Levite represents the Law, which can not save us.

But a certain Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The Samaritans, being of a mixed race, were hated by the Jews. In the same manner, Jesus was mixed (God and man), and he was hated by the Jew. The pouring of oil represents the healing power of the Holy Spirit upon the man. The wine represents the blood of Christ for our healing of sin. The Samaritan likely took of his own clothing to bandage the man, thus representing that we are clothed with Christ when we accept Him into our lives. We are reminded of the words of Jesus, “In My Father’s house are many mansions. I go and prepare a place for you.”

And on the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, “Take care of him; and what ever more you spend, when I return, I will repay you.”  Jesus has paid the price for our salvation. When He returns, He will reveal His glory to us, and we will celebrate our rewards for faithful service. All praise goes to Jesus. Amen.
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