The answer is: Bound up wounds, pouring in oil and wine

Luke 10 v 34

The story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10 is not just a captivating tale; it delivers powerful lessons on compassion and kindness across cultural divides. In Jesus’ time, the animosity between Jews and Samaritans was significant—so when Jesus portrayed a Samaritan as the hero of the story, it flipped social norms on their head.

When the Samaritan encountered the wounded man, he acted swiftly and with sensitivity. Binding his wounds symbolizes an immediate response to need, showing concern that goes beyond mere pity. The use of oil and wine has interesting backgrounds too—oil was known for its soothing properties, while wine’s antiseptic qualities made it a common choice for cleaning wounds. This act of using simple, everyday items reinforces the message that acts of kindness often don’t require extravagant resources; sometimes, it's the most basic actions that can provide immense care.

The Good Samaritan’s compassion echoes the Parable of the Lost Sheep in Matthew 18:12-14, where every individual is immensely valuable and worthy of care and attention. It's captivating to think that such a straightforward story holds deeper instruction, not only about love for one’s neighbor but also about challenging prejudices that divide people. Every time we focus on helping others without biases, we play a role in healing not just physical wounds but societal ones too!