Good New Yorker

“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
— Luke 10:36

I recently read about a man I’ll call the Good New Yorker. Riding the subway, he noticed a homeless man—shirtless, wounded, unclean, invisible to everyone else. Without hesitation, he gave the man the shirt off his back.

Nothing has changed since Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan—except technology. Human nature remains the same.
“Everyone looks out for their own interests” (Philippians 2:21).

We hurry past need. We avert our eyes. We justify distance. And yet, we are our brother’s keeper.

Why Do We Pass By?

Why did the priest and Levite walk past the wounded man on the Jericho road? Fear? Inconvenience? Risk? Religious caution?

That road was known as the Way of Blood—dangerous, unpredictable, costly. Perhaps they felt compassion but chose safety. Perhaps they followed the rules instead of following love.

Jesus makes the point unmistakable: neighborliness is not about position, theology, or intention—it’s about action.

Compassion does not require agreement, comfort, or certainty. It requires movement.

Doing Right, Not Just Avoiding Wrong

This parable isn’t about religion—it’s about responsibility. The wounded man had no label, no résumé, no advantage. He was simply “a certain man” in need (Luke 10:30).

The Samaritan didn’t debate. He didn’t delay. He didn’t defend himself with theology. He acted. He risked inconvenience, safety, time, and money—because goodness was released.

“What if the root problem in our Christian lives isn’t brokenness, but unreleased goodness?”

The Good New Yorker took the same risk. He didn’t know how the man would respond—but he went all in anyway. No Plan B. Just goodness in motion.

And the world noticed. Millions were moved—not by polish or persuasion, but by simple, sacrificial goodness.

“If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?”
— 1 John 3:17

“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”
— Hebrews 13:16

We do not truly know God apart from loving people.
If we get it wrong with people, we get it wrong—period.

Going Deeper
    1.    What prompted Jesus to tell this parable in Luke 10:25–29?
    2.    How does Jesus redefine “neighbor” in verses 29 and 36?
    3.    Why do you think Jesus chose a priest, a Levite, and a Samaritan to tell this story?

Goodness is never wasted.
It always finds its way into the story.