“Finding Ourselves on the Road to Jericho,” Liahona, Apr. 2023.
Come, Follow Me
Finding Ourselves on the Road to Jericho
The Good Samaritan, by Walter Rane
Taking a closer look at some possible symbols in the parable of the good Samaritan allows us to see how the story could apply to us today. (Interpretations come from John W. Welch, “The Good Samaritan: Forgotten Symbols,” Liahona, Feb. 2007, 26–33.)
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The Traveler |
Us |
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Journeying from Jerusalem to Jericho |
Journey from premortal life to earth |
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Set upon by thieves |
Subject to sin and death |
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Left “half dead” by robbers |
Spiritually dead without Christ |
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The Samaritan |
The Savior |
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Has compassion on the traveler |
Has compassion on us |
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Binds up the traveler’s wounds |
Binds up our spiritual wounds |
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Pours oil and wine on the traveler’s wounds |
Gives us ordinances and covenants |
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Brings the traveler to the inn |
Brings us to His Church |
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Promises to return and repay the traveler’s debt |
Promises to return and pay the price of our sins |
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The Inn |
Christ’s Church |
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Takes care of the traveler until the Samaritan returns |
Takes care of us and prepares us for the Second Coming |
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Place of safety for the traveler |
Place of spiritual safety for us |