When a man knew there was an old woman who couldn't afford medicine and pay the rent, he came to help the old woman. He took her to his home and took care of her like his own mother. He prepared bed and food, bought medicine, and escorted the old woman when she needed treatment. He continued to care for her until she could no longer take care of herself. I was amazed to learn that such a nice man was a rabid atheist!
The Jews were shaken by Jesus' parable of the good Samaritan. Jesus praised the goodness of the Samaritan. Jews look down on Samaritans very much, just as I tend to look down on atheists.
A scribe tested Jesus by asking how he could gain eternal life. Then Jesus asked what the law said about it. The scribe replied that he must love God with all his heart and love his neighbor as himself (Luke 10:25-27). Then the scribe asked again, "And who is my neighbor?" (verse 29). In Jesus' parable, the Samaritan was a fellow human who showed kindness to the injured person.
Jesus told this parable to challenge His listeners. The story of the Samaritan and the kind atheist reminds us of the high standard of God's word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself!” (Romans 13:9) --Herb Vander Lugt
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