So, what did we talk about? I'd first like to point out that much of this is nothing more than my personal interpretation. There is a possibility that it is correct, but I didn't get it from an General Authority's talk or anything.
What we talked about: As you probably know, in every one of Jesus' parables there is what seems to be just a story on the surface. But as you look deeper, you find layers of symbolism which mean so much more. That is why it is a parable. The parable of the Good Samaritan, if you have never read it or would like to read it again, can be found here. In any case, in my university religion classes, my teacher(s) have often said that sometimes we think that we are the good guys in the parable (the father in the Prodigal Son, the samaritan in the Good Samaritan, and so on), when really, we are often the ones who are worst off (The Prodigal Son in the parable by the same name, the Jewish man in the Good Samaritan). So when I read the parable in preparation I started there:
Jewish Man = Us.
Those teachers have also emphasized that the savior (or the 'good guys' I have mentioned) in the parables is the Savior.
Good Samaritan = Savior
Jewish Man = Us
That was really about as far as I got beforehand. Which is a reflection on how unprepared I often am. I am grateful that the spirit was there, and he made up the difference. I am also grateful for my class. They are brilliant. They directed the discussion exactly where I was thinking it should go (hopefully that was where it was supposed to go). I put the characters in the parable up on the board, and asked them (after we read the parable and showed the video) who was representative of who. They got the first question (Who is the Jewish man?) in a heartbeat. And with a little prodding, they identified the Samaritan as the Savior. Then we moved on. I decided to sort of ignore for a moment the Priest, Levite, and thieves in the story, and just focus on the Samaritan, the Jewish Man, and the Host of the Inn. I asked them, about the Inn and the Host and what they thought they were. One of them said the host was the prophet. I thought that was an interesting observation. I imagined the Inn and Host to be the church as a whole, not a single person. And I think that the Host could be a Bishop or Stake President as well. The Savior finds someone in need of help, and he brings them to the church, and a Bishop helps them work through their difficulties personally. But I think that the identification of the Host as the prophet is interesting. The Savior brings a person in need of repentance to the church, wherein he can learn from the words of the current prophet and president of the church, and be healed be following those words; the words which the Savior has commanded him to speak.
The other things I felt I should point out were the actions of the Samaritan. It says in the parable:
33But a certain aSamaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had bcompassion on him,
34And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took acare of him.
35And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the ahost, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
How can these events be compared to what the Savior does for us in our own lives?
We compared the binding of the wounds to the way Christ heals us when we have sinned. I would compare paying the Host to the Atonement. Christ has paid for what we need. There are three things the Samaritan does which I don’t think really need to be scrutinized for symbolism: Christ has compassion on us. He comes to us, and He takes care of us.
After putting the parable in this light, I suggested (and I’m not entirely sure about interpreting it this way), that we are supposed to become like the Samaritan. We are commanded in the scriptures, “Therefore I would that ye should be aperfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect.” (3 Nephi 12:48. Also Matthew 5:48), and “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.” (Moroni 7:48) Additional scriptures: 3 Nephi 27:21, 27
Our goal is to become like Christ. If the Samaritan in the story symbolizes Christ, then isn’t that where we should desire to be in the parable? We should be bringing the wounded to the church, helping them to heal, and whether or not others pass by them, we need to make an effort to lift and help them. I testify that the Book of Mormon is true. I know that the Savior lives and loves me, and that Heavenly Father and the Holy Ghost also live. They are separate beings, but are united in purpose, and play the most significant of roles in our lives. If you are not a member of the church, I invite you to PLEASE investigate it. Read the Book of Mormon. You don’t even need to buy a copy; the church will give you one for free. Read it, and then take Moroni 10:4-5 seriously and ask about it. You will find an answer as to the truth of the church.
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