(4.) He “went to him.” The Levite went toward him, but we are told that he, as well as the priest, “passed by on the other side.”
(5.) He “bound up his wounds.” Perhaps he had to tear up his own garments in order to bind them up.
(6.) He poured in oil and gave some wine to the fainting man.
(7.) He “set him on his own beast.” Do you not think that this poor Jew must have looked with gratitude and tenderness on the Samaritan, as he was placed on the beast, while his deliverer walked by his side? All the prejudice in his heart must have disappeared long before they got to the end of their journey.
(8.) He “brought him to an inn.”
(9.) He “took care of him.” I was greatly touched at hearing of a Christian worker in one of the districts in London where we were, who met with a drinking man at the meeting. He saw that the man was in drink, so he took him home and stayed all night with him; then, when he got sober the next morning, he talked with him. Many are willing enough to talk with drunkards when they are sober, but how few there are who will go and hunt them up when they are in their fallen condition, and stay with them till they can be reasoned with about their salvation.
(10.) When he departed on the morrow, the good Samaritan asked the host to care for him.
(11.) He gave him some money to pay the bill.
(12.) He said: “Whatever thou spendest more, when I come again I will repay thee.”
There is nothing I think in all the teachings of Christ that brings out the whole Gospel better than this parable. It is a perfect picture of Christ coming down to this world to seek and save the lost.