A lawyer came up to Jesus one day
As he got near he began to say
“Teacher please tell me what to do
To inherit eternal life, will you?”
“What’s written in the Law?” Jesus said
“Tell me the answer that you’ve read”
The lawyer answered “Well, you shall love
With all that you are the Lord above
And you should love with all you are too
The one who is a neighbour to you”
“That’s a good answer – you will live
If you make sure that you do this.”
But he wanted himself to justify
So he wasn’t content with Jesus’ reply
He needed more – it wasn’t enough
“Who is my neighbour? – who should I love?"
The Lord said “a man decided to go
From Jerusalem down to Jericho
He fell among thieves who stripped him bare
They robbed him, and beat him, then left him there
Who would help this man half-dead
Clinging to life by a tiny thread?
A priest chanced by and saw him there
Would he show this man some care?
Well, He didn’t take long to decide
To pass him by on the other side
A Levite next came to that place
And saw the need on this man’s face
He soon decided what to do
He crossed the road and passed by too
A Samaritan traveller then came by
(Such foreigners were hated and despised)
Would this man act in the same fashion
No, when he saw him he showed compassion
He went to him, his wounds to bind
Pouring in some oil and wine
Transported him to the nearest inn
Took the greatest care of him
The next day as he went to depart
Again he showed his compassionate heart
He went up to the keeper of the inn
and said “Will you please take care of him”
He gave some cash and said “I’ll repay
any more you spend when I come back, OK”
Then Jesus asked “Tell me which of the three
was a neighbour to him who fell among thieves?”
The lawyer replied “It’s plain to see
The one who showed mercy was neighbourly”
Jesus told him “Here is your labour
Go and do likewise and love your neighbour”
