The Good Samaritan’s Identity and What It Means to You
The Good Samaritan story teaches us to love our neighbors as ourselves. It also reminds us to follow God’s commandments to love Him and others. These commandments are found in Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18.
But is there more to this parable? Understanding the prophetic significance of the Good Samaritan’s identity draws you into the Father-heart of God and reveals something about your identity and Kingdom destiny.
The Good Samaritan’s Identity
The Samaritans were inhabitants of Samaria. The name Samaritan comes from the Hebrew word shamar, which means…
- To keep or guard
- To watch and protect, save life
- To be a watchman, to watch for and wait for
- To keep, retain, and treasure up in memory
- To celebrate and exercise great care over
- To keep, as in the Sabbath or covenant
- To come with great responsibility
Can you see the Good Samaritan’s identity as being significant to his Kingdom calling in Luke 10:25-37?
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
“And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, ‘Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?’
“So he answered and said, ‘”You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,” and “your neighbor as yourself.”.’
“And He said to him, ‘You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.’
“But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’
“Then Jesus answered and said: ‘A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, “Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.” So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?’
“And he said, ‘He who showed mercy on him.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’” (emphasis added)
What do you notice about the Samaritan? As he journeyed, he came to the man who was robbed and beaten…
- He noticed him and had compassion.
- He went to him and bandaged his wounds.
- He poured oil and wine on him.
- He put him on his own animal and brought him into a place of protection and provision.
- He took care of him.
- He paid someone to take care of him in his absence. He did not leave him unattended.
- He promised to come again.
Who does this describe? Yeshua! And who are we being transformed into daily? Yeshua!
The Good Samaritan Walked Out His Identity
As you can see, the Samaritan walked out his identity as a guard, watchman, and one who protects. Further, in the parable, the word neighbor in Hebrew is rae. This means “brother, intimate friend, weaker companion, or one who lives close by.”
So, when the Samaritan walked out his identity as a watchman and protector, in this case, it spoke more about how he treated someone close to him in some way rather than an “enemy.”
Yeshua did speak of loving your enemies and praying for those who persecute you (see Matthew 5:43-48). But in Luke 10, He seems to be teaching us how to treat those we are in some kind of relationship with—possibly a part of the Lord’s family.
How does this apply to us? As One New Humanity Believers—Jews and Gentiles united together as one in Yeshua—we can take the Lord’s words and ask Him to reveal more of what it means to love our rae—neighbor—and walk out our identity as His Bride!
What Is Your Identity?
The Good Samaritan’s identity is a picture of Yeshua. The Samaritan represented Yeshua’s…
- Compassion
- Healing power
- Protector
- The price He paid so that we are “kept” and restored
As a born-again Believer, God’s Spirit has taken up residence in you! He dwells in you and gives you the power to walk out His plans and unlock your Kingdom destiny. He has given you a new identity!
The Samaritan was given a choice. Would he choose to come into agreement and alignment with his identity as a watchman and protector or would he simply pass by on the other side of the road, ignoring the person God intended him to build a relationship with? He chose his identity. He chose to step into his destiny.
As a child of the Creator and King, your identity is shaped by Him. You are… (see Ephesians 1)
- Blessed
- Redeemed
- Predestined for a purpose
- Have an inheritance
- A purchased possession
Just to name a few! But you, too, have a choice.
- Will you be a watchman for those who you are in relationship with?
- Will you allow the Father to shape your heart and extend compassion to another?
If your answer is yes, then say yes to stepping into your identity and destiny, too!
Step into Your Identity as God’s Child
As part of walking out our identities and unlocking Kingdom destinies, we are to be for what God is for. We are for Israel and stand with her as God’s chosen nation. While others may ignore, look away, or overlook the promises God has outlined in His Word, we are called to remember, honor, and have compassion.
What might be the most fascinating definition of the word shamar is “to keep, retain, and treasure up in memory.”
“Treasure up in memory” not only includes treasuring up God’s Word in our hearts so we remember them in time of need but also “to treasure up in memory” the rae—neighbors—we are called to have compassion for. This calling comes with great responsibility.
We must always remember God has a purpose and plan for Israel. He is sovereign and has made everlasting promises to her. And we can be a part of His plan to fulfill those promises through prayer, support, and “treasuring up in memory” those whom He has called the apple of His eye (Psalm 17:8).
Let us reflect Yeshua’s identity, walk out our Kingdom destinies as adopted children, and become watchmen in this season—treasuring His Word and the memory of His chosen people!