Lessons on the Plan of Salvation
Lesson No. Seven
The Parable of the Good Samaritan Teaches the Plan of Salvation
The Parable of the Good Samaritan teaches the Plan of Salvation – Jesus gave the parable of the Good Samaritan in answer to two questions, both of which were intended to ensnare Him. The first question was “what shall I do to inherit eternal life” The second was “who is my neighbor” (See Luke 10:25-37). Many people believe the answer to the second question “who is my neighbor” is the primary message of the parable. For example, in our society when a person comes to the rescue of others or when they serve spontaneously as benevolent volunteers they are often referred to as “good Samaritans”. (When I served in the Utah Legislature I sponsored the Utah Good Samaritan Act which gives legal immunity to modern day Good Samaritans)
However, this parable has a far deeper meaning than most people understand. This parable is truly profound because Jesus answers the first, and most important question, “what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” by teaching the plan of salvation.
Each element of the parable represents a corresponding doctrine of the plan of salvation:
- saw him = knew him;
- had compassion = pure love of Christ;
- went to him = succored him in need;
- bound up his wounds = atoned for sins
- poured in = gave Himself;
- oil = Holy Spirit;
- wine = atoning blood;
- inn = The Church of Jesus Christ;
- took care = Jesus personally cares for all;
- on the morrow = born again;
- the inn keeper = any church leader;
- when I come again = second coming;
- repay = rewards, eternal life.
- A man = all mankind;
- went down = left pre-mortal existence;
- from Jerusalem = holy city, presence of God;
- to Jericho = in the desert, telestial world;
- fell = fallen state, sins;
- among thieves = Satan, wickedness;
- striped him = lost knowledge of the plan;
- wounded him = sin;
- left him half dead = spiritual death;
- by chance = not by the original divine plan;
- priest and Levite = those without authority;
- passed by = lacked power to save;
- Samaritan = Christ who was despised;
Jesus is the Good Samaritan and His atonement is central to of the plan of salvation:
- All mankind left the presence of our Father in the pre-existence and came to a mortal world
- In mortality Satan attacks everyone; with the exception of Jesus, we all sin
- Sin wounds and strips us of knowledge of the plan of salvation; we forget who we are
- Many claim to have answers, but do not have the priesthood or gospel ordinances
- Jesus, the Lord Omnipotent, like the Samaritan was despised and rejected
- Jesus’ atonement strengthens us in our infirmities, succors us; He pays for our sins
- He restored His Church; we receive the gift of the Holy Ghost to guide us
- He provides leaders in His Church with authority to act in His name
- By living His gospel we recover from the wounds of mortality and are born again
- He will come again; the faithful will receive their reward, eternal life in His Kingdom
Testimony – The deep meaning of this parable cannot be understood from the Bible alone. Only because of latter day revelation can we understand that this parable teaches the plan of salvation.
The Lord is the Master Teacher. He uses this profound parable to teach that He is the Good Samaritan, that His atonement is central to the plan of salvation and it heals all wounds, that His Church and priesthood and the gift of the Holy Ghost have been restored, that our hearts and lives are changed by living His Gospel, and He will come again, and the faithful will be exalted.