Some stories are impossible to forget.

A man lies beaten and broken on the side of the road. One by one, people pass him by—people who should have stopped, who should have cared. But they don’t. Then, an unlikely hero—a Samaritan, an outsider—sees him, has compassion, and acts.

Jesus’ Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) is more than a moral lesson. It is a challenge to redefine what it means to love our neighbor. It is a call to move beyond convenient kindness and into costly, Christlike mercy.

At First Free Church, mercy is not an add-on to our faith—it is central to who we are as disciples of Jesus. As part of our NEXT Vision, we are committed to growing as a church that doesn’t just proclaim the gospel but demonstrates it. Over the next ten years, we long to become a community where mercy is our instinct, generosity is our posture, and love is our reputation.

But what does that look like? How do we move from knowing about mercy to embodying it in our daily lives?

Jesus’ parable gives us a roadmap—one that transforms our head, heart, and hands.

A Renewed Head: Understanding God’s Call to Mercy

The parable begins with a simple but self-protective question:

“And who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29)

The lawyer asking this was not looking for more opportunities to love—he was looking for limits on his responsibility. But Jesus’ response expands the definition of mercy beyond race, religion, and convenience.

In the story, we see three different perspectives on life:

• The Robbers: “What’s yours is mine.” They lived selfishly, taking advantage of others.
• The Priest & The Levite: “What’s mine is mine.” They also lived selfishly—but by prioritizing self-preservation over compassion.
• The Samaritan: “What’s mine is yours.” He lived selflessly, seeing the wounded man and giving freely of his time, resources, and energy.

Jesus makes it clear: true discipleship means a renewed mind—one that rejects selfishness and embraces sacrificial love.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” (Romans 12:2)

We do not naturally drift toward mercy. We drift toward comfort and self-interest. That’s why we need the Spirit of God to shape our thinking and remind us that mercy is not optional—it is the heartbeat of true faith.

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8)

When we see people as Jesus sees them, we stop asking, “Who is my neighbor?”—and we start living as one.

A Renewed Heart: Cultivating Christlike Compassion

In Jesus’ parable, both a priest and a Levite saw the wounded man but chose to walk away.

They knew the Scriptures. They knew the command to love their neighbor. But knowing is not the same as loving.

“When He saw the crowds, He had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36)

The compassion of Christ was not just an emotion—it was His instinct. He didn’t just see suffering; He felt it deeply.

And so did the early church. In the second century, during a devastating plague, the Roman elite fled the cities—but Christians stayed behind, caring for the sick and dying. Their mercy was so radical that it led many to faith. They didn’t just believe in Jesus—they became His hands and feet.

Our prayer is that we would be a church that doesn’t just preach about mercy but lives it.

“Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)

The more we delight in Christ, the more our hearts reflect His.

A Renewed Hand: Expressing Mercy in Action

The Samaritan saw the wounded man and was moved with compassion. But his mercy did not remain an internal feeling—he acted.

“He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him.” (Luke 10:34)

This is the radical part of the story. Not only does Jesus make a Samaritan the hero, but in doing so, He points to Himself.

Jesus is the ultimate Good Samaritan.

When we were broken and helpless, He saw us, had compassion, and took action.

“He took our pain and bore our suffering.” (Isaiah 53:4)
“By His wounds, we are healed.” (1 Peter 2:24)

And now, He calls us to do the same.

“Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” (James 2:17)

Mercy is more than a feeling—it is an action. And as a church, we want to be a place where mercy is practiced daily.

Living Mercy at First Free Church

As part of our NEXT Vision, we are refining, reordering, and renewing our mercy ministries to make a greater impact. Here are just a few ways we are partnering in mercy efforts in our church, community, and world:

• Deacons & Congregational Care – Walking alongside those in need within our church family.
• Funeral Luncheon Committee – Serving grieving families with hospitality and compassion.
• GriefShare & Spiritual Renewal Workshops – Helping souls experience hope and healing in Christ.
• Dream Center – Reaching deep into the City of McKeesport.
• PRISM – Extending hospitality to international students in Pittsburgh.
• 40 Days for Life – Defending the unborn and standing for the dignity of all life.
• White Cross – Providing medical care at Tandala Hospital in the Congo.
• Samaritan’s Purse – Offering disaster relief to those in crisis.

These are not just programs—they are expressions of Christ’s love.

Mercy is a movement. And we want to be part of it.

Conclusion: Discipleship That Makes a Difference

Jesus ends the parable with a simple command:

“Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:37)

Church, we serve a merciful God. A God who loved us when we were unlovable, rescued us when we were hopeless, and set us free when we were in chains.

And now, He calls us to do the same.

An Invitation

As we step into the next ten years, we long to be a church where mercy continues to be at the core of our identity. A church that:

• Sees the hurting
• Feels deep compassion
• Takes action in Jesus’ name

A church that both proclaims and practices the gospel.

A church that makes disciples who make a difference—in both word and deed.

Let’s be that church.

As we move toward that vision, let’s pray. Lord, give us renewed minds, renewed hearts, and renewed hands, so that Your mercy might shine brightly through us. Amen.