Jesus answered, "A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among
robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. By chance
a certain priest was going down that way. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
In the same way a Levite also, when he came to the place, and saw him, passed by on the
other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he traveled, came where he was. When he saw him, he
was moved with compassion, came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and
wine. He set him on his own animal, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the
next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, and gave them to the host, and said to
him, 'Take care of him. Whatever you spend beyond that, I will repay you when I return.' Now
which of these three do you think seemed to be a neighbor to him who fell among the
robbers?" He said, "He who showed mercy on him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do
likewise." Luke 10:30-37
The story of the “Good Samaritan” is probably the best
example of hospitality in Scripture. The interesting thing
about the Scriptural definition of a neighbor is that it is not
limited to who lives next door. It does not mean who is
geographically close to you. It is those who you let know
that you care for their wellbeing, no matter their situation
or circumstance.
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