One of the most well-known of Jesus’ parables, the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) was told in response to a lawyer’s question of how to inherit eternal life. Rather than giving him the legalistic response he was looking for – a check list of actions and individuals he was to show love to – Jesus answered the lawyer with a dramatic illustration of total selflessness, radical compassion, and extraordinary mercy. However, as our own experience testifies, to “love your neighbor as yourself” is much easier said than done; in fact, on our own, it is an impossible feat.  In this sermon, Pastor Dave examines this beautiful parable and points us to the true and better Good Samaritan, one who was utterly despised by men, yet gave all he had to rescue poor, lost, “left-for-dead” sinners. Here we see the motivation for fulfilling the law through love (Rom. 13:8-10), for “blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy” (Matt. 5:7).