The Good Samaritan DVD
In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers.
Children of all ages will love this classic story about the stranger with a heart of gold who shows us what it really means to "love thy neighbor". The Parable of the Good Samaritan appears only in the Gospel of Luke (10:25-37).
Main Characters: Jesus and the Disciples, the lawyer, Ezra and his family, the Samaritan, the innkeeper and his son, the thieves, the priest and the Levite. Scriptural References:Luke 10:23-37
Overall Theme: In The Good Samaritan, Jesus teaches us the true meaning of God's commandment that we "love our neighbor". A man is left for dead at the side of the road by robbers. His cries for help are ignored by two people who find excuses for not helping him. Finally, a Samaritan, who is the injured man's natural enemy, comes to his aid. Through this story, Jesus teaches us how God expects us to treat others.Summary: We begin in a room with Jesus and His Disciples. He tells them that many people have desired salvation. In a corner of the room, two men are in deep discussion. One of them, a lawyer, challenges Jesus to tell him what is to be done to inherit eternal life. Jesus tells the story of a Jewish man who needed to travel a dangerous road to Jericho to buy spices. His wife worries about his trip to Jericho. But he must make the journey, so he bids his family farewell and goes on his way. At a wayside inn, the innkeeper's young son overhears two robbers plotting to steal from people on the road. On a isolated, mountainous stretch of the road, the two robbers hide among the rocks. Soon the spice merchant comes into view. The robbers then steal his gold and leave him for dead on the deserted road. A short while later, a priest finds the abused man. He says that if he were not on the Lord's business he would stop and help him. He continues on his way, leaving the spice merchant to suffer on the road. Next, a Levite finds the dying Jewish man, but he is only concerned with his own safety and runs to avoid the robbers.A Samaritan, the natural enemy of the Jews is the last to discover the man on the side of the road. He leaves money for the injured man's care and continues his voyage. The innkeeper's son witnesses the actions of the priest, the Levite and the Samaritan. Watching all this, the young boy knows that the Samaritan is truly the good neighbor to his fellow man.
Background: During Biblical times, a Samaritan was despised by most Jews. By using a Samaritan as the good neighbor, Jesus brought even more impact to the story. Because of this powerful parable, a good and generous person now is called a Samaritan.
