We instinctively tend to limit for whom we exert ourselves. We do it for people like us, and for people whom we like. Jesus will have none of that. By depicting a Samaritan helping a Jew, Jesus could not have found a more forceful way to say that anyone at all in need - regardless of race, politics, class, and religion - is your neighbour. Not everyone is your brother or sister in faith, but everyone is your neighbour, and you must love your neighbour.
Timothy KellerWhen Jesus looked down from the cross, he didn't think โI am giving myself to you because you are so attractive to me.โ No, he was in agony, and he looked down at us - denying him, abandoning him, and betraying him - and in the greatest act of love in history, he STAYED. He said, โFather, forgive them, they don't know what they are doing.โ He loved us, not because we were lovely to him, but to make us lovely.
Timothy Keller